Review of 'What's Wrong with Us? The Anthropathology Thesis' Colin Feltham, Wiley: 2007; Hb £65.00

Abstract

As the title suggests this publication works from the premise that there is something inherently wrong with all of us. Feltham describes the meaning of anthropathology as being, 'the marked, universal tendency of human beings individually and collectively towards suffering deceptiveness, irrationality, destructiveness and dysfunction, including an extreme difficulty in perceiving and freeing ourselves from this state'. Feltham, who is a Professor of Critical Counselling Studies, provides an interesting and engaging argument that is supported by references to religion and an inherent desire not to get on with our perceived enemies. Feltham suggests that at some time in our past we have taken a particular path that is no longer tenable and that we are slowly beginning to realise this, which in turn affects our psyche. Current examples are referred to such as, the pace of technological advance, various violent conflicts, and the serious environmental damage that seems to be continuing unabated.