An Interview with Ladson Hinton Conducted by Hessel Willemsen on 5th April 2021

This interview, conducted by Hessel Willemsen on April 5, 2021, delves into the life and career of Ladson Hinton, a prominent figure in psychoanalysis and philosophy. Hinton recounts his early academic journey, highlighting his ambivalence between pursuing medical school and continuing with philosophy and literature. He discusses the significant influence of Edmund Husserl’s phenomenology during this transitional period, which led him to write his Master’s thesis on the concept of the transcendent. Hinton’s mentor, Fritz Friedmann, played a crucial role in shaping his philosophical outlook, emphasizing the importance of caring in one’s work. Hinton’s decision to study medicine was influenced by his interest in clinical practice and the intellectual stimulation of psychiatry. He reflects on his experiences at Washington University in St. Louis and Georgetown, where he specialized in clinical studies. His psychiatric residency at Stanford introduced him to influential figures like Harry Stack Sullivan and Don Jackson, who shaped his approach to psychiatry and psychoanalysis. The interview also explores Hinton’s friendship with Tom Kirsch and his subsequent involvement in Jungian analytic training. Hinton shares his thoughts on the tension between Jungian thinking and his philosophical interests, which eventually led to the formation of the New School for Analytical Psychology in Seattle. He emphasizes the importance of existential phenomenology and critiques Jung’s focus on archetypes. Hinton’s work on shame and temporality is discussed, highlighting his belief in the ethical significance of shame and its role in forming boundaries and respect for values. He also reflects on the influence of Bernard Stiegler’s multidisciplinary approach, which combines philosophy, psychoanalysis, and evolutionary psychology. The interview concludes with Hinton’s thoughts on the relevance of Stiegler’s work in the context of contemporary society and technology.