Tragic Consciousness and Therapeutic Presence: An Integration of Classical Wisdom and Contemporary Clinical Critique
Julian Ungar-Sargon
Abstract
This paper examines the evolution of tragic
consciousness from ancient Greek philosophy through biblical theology to
contemporary therapeutic practice. While modern medicine has largely rejected
tragic sensibility in favor of technological optimism, this essay argues that
recovering an authentic understanding of the tragic—informed by both Hellenic
and Hebraic traditions—can deepen and transform clinical care. Drawing from
Greek dramatic theory, biblical theology, kabbalistic mysticism, and
contemporary healing philosophy, the paper proposes a framework for therapeutic
encounter that honors human limitation while maintaining space for genuine
transformation. The clinical implications include new approaches to medical
education, patient care, and the healer's own spiritual development within the
tragic-sacred dialectic of contemporary healthcare.