Gadamer & the Transmission of History: Translating Theory into Clinical Practice | Dr. Jerome Veith

What happens when we stop treating therapy as a search for a hidden "inner life" and instead use it to explore our shared, lived world?Seattle University Senior Adjunct Professor of Philosophy and Psychology and Licensed Therapist Dr. Jerome Veith joins host PJ Wehry to discuss the intersection of hermeneutics and clinical practice.Dr. Veith explores the themes of his book Gadamer and the Transmission of History and his personal journey from academic theory to doing philosophy every day with his clients. They examine how philosophical concepts like historicity and charitability can transform the way we listen, heal, and understand our place in the world.In this conversation they explore:The profound difference between academic listening and therapeutic listening, and why "charitability" must balance the "hermeneutics of suspicion". How our relationship to the past is malleable, and why viewing our "historicity" as a lived texture can relieve the burden of anxiety. The flaws of the modern hunt for an isolated "authentic self" and why true authenticity requires acknowledging our shared linguistic and cultural worlds. Why rigid therapeutic methods often fall short, and the value of "courting surprise" rather than relying strictly on predefined techniques. The concept of Bildung (formation) and how engaging with history helps us realize we don't have to carry the burden of being human entirely by ourselves.How reclaiming our focus and viewing therapy as an "attentional practice" can serve as a profound gift that changes both ourselves and others.This is a conversation for anyone interested in psychology, philosophy, and the healing arts who wants to understand how deep listening and shared attention can transform our lives.Make sure to check out Dr. Veith's book: Gadamer and the Transmission of History 👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0253015987/Check out our website at chasingleviathan.com Who thinks that they can subdue Leviathan? Strength resides in its neck; dismay goes before it. When it rises up, the mighty are terrified. Nothing on earth is its equal. It is without fear. It looks down on all who are haughty; it is king over all who are proud. These words inspired PJ Wehry to create Chasing Leviathan. Chasing Leviathan was born out of two ideals: that truth is worth pursuing but will never be subjugated, and the discipline of listening is one of the most important habits anyone can develop.Timestamps00:00 – Introducing Dr. Jerome Veith02:14 – Transitioning from Philosophy to Licensed Therapy04:21 – Academic vs. Therapeutic Listening09:07 – Balancing Deference with the "Hermeneutics of Suspicion"10:43 – Navigating Anxiety13:22 – Preconditions for Dialogue16:50 – Exploring Biographical and Historical Situatedness21:50 – Phronesis and the Texture of Lived Experience27:27 – Hermeneutics in Pedagogy34:44 – Teaching a Room vs. Healing an Individual37:51 – Socratic Dialogue, Rigid Methods, and "Courting Surprise"42:24 – Bildung and Reclaiming Humanism46:15 – The Trap of Modern "Authenticity"51:47 – Bridging Hermeneutics and Psychology54:54 – Closing Thoughts