Psychoanalytic Thinking with Dr Don Carveth
Donald Carveth
Join distinguished professor and psychoanalyst Dr Don Carveth for engaging lectures centring around psychoanalysis, diving into its roots, bringing us up to the modern-day. Known for his clear communication style, Don’s grasp of the literature comes through in the thought-provoking opinions he provides. This podcast will facilitate a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.
Donald L Carveth, PhD, RP, FIPA is Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Social & Political Thought at York University in Toronto. He is a training and supervising analyst in the Canadian Institute of Psychoanalysis, past Director of the Toronto Institute of Psychoanalysis, and past Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Psychoanalysis/Revue Canadienne de Psychanalyse.
Dr Don Carveth works with Aodhán Moran to produce this podcast. Follow Aodhán on X/Twitter at @aodhanpmoran or contact at aodhanpmoran@gmail.com.
Donald L Carveth, PhD, RP, FIPA is Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Social & Political Thought at York University in Toronto. He is a training and supervising analyst in the Canadian Institute of Psychoanalysis, past Director of the Toronto Institute of Psychoanalysis, and past Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Psychoanalysis/Revue Canadienne de Psychanalyse.
Dr Don Carveth works with Aodhán Moran to produce this podcast. Follow Aodhán on X/Twitter at @aodhanpmoran or contact at aodhanpmoran@gmail.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 23, 2025 • 49min
Superego, Conscience and the Narcissism of our Times
Dr Carveth begins by describing the difference between the narcissistically based superego from the object-oriented conscience. He sees the former as culturally derived and the latter as biologically given. We discuss how in the clinical situation persecutory guilt, i.e., superego, may often be emphasized to defend against the vulnerabilities associated with loving and being loved. We consider the use and overuse of the concept of trauma in contrast to intrapsychic conflict, and he distinguishes between empathy and sympathy. He shares his view that the edges of our political parties are imbued with the self-certainty born from the paranoid position. Ultimately, he concludes, “I’m not afraid that analysis will disappear – people who have problems with their soul will seek out soul doctors.”
Sep 23, 2025 • 50min
Shame, Guilt, and Ruminations
Dr. Carveth discusses the differences between guilt that reflects concern for the other and alternatively self-abuse that serves narcissistic purposes. The former relates to Klein’s depressive/reparative stage, labeled ‘conscience’ by Carveth, and the latter derives from the paranoid/schizoid position, labeled ‘superego’. We review varying technical approaches to each of these clinical presentations and note that the countertransference provides vital guidance in understanding the state of the analysand’s mind. We close by considering how the capacity to bear guilt may be a measure of the maturation of a civilization.
Sep 6, 2025 • 29min
On Narcissism
Freud, Lacan, Mead and Christianity on narcissism.
Sep 6, 2025 • 59min
Is Psychoanalysis a path to salvation?
Discover the transformative potential of psychoanalysis in addressing neuroses and fostering personal growth. Delve into the intersection of psychoanalysis and Christian salvation, exploring faith's connection to self-awareness. The discussion navigates the intricacies of love and narcissism while highlighting authentic connections in an increasingly simulated society. Unearth the importance of dreams in realizing one's true self and the dangers of seeking wholeness without embracing brokenness. Plus, a look at how love for one's neighbor supports democratic values!
Sep 6, 2025 • 56min
Jesus Was The First Psychoanalyst
In this episode, Dr Carveth speaks with Jakob Lusensky on the Psychology & The Cross podcast. Don and Jakob discuss Don converted from Jung to Freud, his writing on the importance of differentiating conscience from the superego, and what we can learn from Jesus and the bible about psychoanalysis. See the full show notes on the Psychology & The Cross website: https://psychologyanthecross.transistor.fm/episodes/e09-jesus-was-the-first-psychoanalyst-with-donald-carveth Subscribe to Psychology & The Cross YouTube channel for video versions of the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMTxf19HOr9ut_m9tkuK_Rg Dr Carveth works with Aodhán Moran to produce this podcast. If you'd like to inquire about Aodhán's services, contact him here.
Sep 6, 2025 • 12min
Splitting
In this episode, Dr Carveth discusses splitting. Don goes on to discuss a problem in Kleinian theory of development, and how Klein attributes the capacity to split of infants under six months of age. That said, splitting is a complex cognitive capacity to abstract and generalize that can only arise with symbolization, sometime in the second year of life. This is not a problem for the Kleinian theory of the mind of older children, adolescents and adults, but only for its theory of infant development. Dr Carveth works with Aodhán Moran to produce this podcast. If you'd like to inquire about Aodhán's services, contact him here.
Aug 6, 2023 • 30min
New Book (Interview): Guilt: A Contemporary Introduction
In this episode, Dr Carveth is interviewed by Aodhán Moran regarding his latest book Guilt: A Contemporary Introduction. Purchase the book: https://www.routledge.com/Guilt-A-Contemporary-Introduction/Carveth/p/book/9781032382661 Dr Carveth works with Aodhán Moran to produce this podcast. Contact Aodhán for podcast production at aodhanpmoran@gmail.com. Follow Aodhán here: https://twitter.com/aodhanpmoran
Jul 30, 2023 • 35min
Psychoanalysis of Sociology and the Sociology of Psychoanalysis
In this episode, Dr Carveth questions whether or not the psychoanalytic theory of acculturation is anything more than a projected castration phantasy. Was the turn away from guilt and the superego in psychoanalysis part of the neo-liberal attack on regulation? Dr Don Carveth works with Aodhán Moran to produce this podcast. Contact Aodhán for podcast production at aodhanpmoran@gmail.com.
Jul 23, 2023 • 1h 15min
Are Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Guilt Still Relevant in the Culture of Narcissism?
In this episode, Dr Carveth wrestles with the question: is Tragic Man Guilty? He then goes on to discuss the superego as aggression turned on self or deployed against scapegoats, and how authoritarians are marching under the banner of the superego. Dr Don Carveth works with Aodhán Moran to produce this podcast. Contact Aodhán for podcast production at aodhanpmoran@gmail.com.
Jul 16, 2023 • 17min
Marxism
In this episode, Dr Carveth teases apart Marxism and Leninism. For Don, they are not the same thing. He then goes on to discuss democratic Marxism, social democracy, and anti-authoritarianism. Dr Don Carveth works with Aodhán Moran to produce this podcast. Contact Aodhán for podcast production at aodhanpmoran@gmail.com.
