[Elaboration of the psychosomatic phenomenon: observations on the biography of Blaise Pascal].

Abstract

The paper aims to take a closer look at some of the problems surrounding the 'psychosomatic phenomenon'. The origin, development and effects of the phenomenon, as well as the way in which one individual managed to overcome it, are illustrated in the example of the French philosopher and physicist, Blaise Pascal. The authors hold the view that the psychosomatic phenomenon is rooted in disturbances in the early identification processes of the infant. Somatic symptoms flare up whenever the individual, in a phase of disorganization, becomes dominated by his psychosomatic phenomenon. If, however, the person concerned has the ability to go through with the suffering involved in experiencing and elaborating these early defects, thus giving them a psychic dimension, he may be able to overcome them and in this way even attain to creativity. The genius Pascal is an extreme example of one who had this ability and so gained access to his own truth, which he found in God.