The grammar of paradox: Deciphering Winnicott's language theory

In Italy today, a group of psychoanalysts work with field theory. This paper shows that a line of thought develops from physics, philosophy and psychology which leads to today's conception of the field by Antonino Ferro and Giuseppe Civitarese. The assumption of a continuous dynamic and a direct relationship between all parts of the field is fundamental to the conception of the "analytical field"; these parts have a field-dependent identity and are different as a total than when taken on their own. Tracing the evolution of present day field-theory, the paper describes the epistemological context in which Kurt Lewin developed field theory and examines selected theoretical elements from Georges Politzer and Jose Bleger.