Why A.A. works; the intellectual significance of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Abstract

Because of the nature of its origin and sources, the parallels between its insight and that of existential philosophy, and the influence of its ideas on other social phenomena. Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) deserves recognition as a movement of unique intellectual significance. The origins of A.A. are discussed, and the influences of the Oxford Group, William James, Carl Jung and William Duncan Silkworth are noted. Existential philosophical parallels are discussed throughout. The 1st theme of all existential philosophies is the realization of man''s limitation of being. The 1st step of A.A. (We admitted that we were powerless over alcohol....) recognizes that the alcoholic is essentially limited. The larger insight of A.A. is the wholeness of limitation, an insight that enables true acceptance of limitation. Four important aspects of this insight are letting go, the nature of the human condition, limited control and limited dependence. A crucial step in A.A. is self-transcendance, which involves embracing a new relationship with others who are also essentially limited and requires a recognition that to be fully human is to need human others. The A.A. therapy of mutuality and its 3 aspects (making a difference, honesty and dependence) are discussed. A.A. works because it is a therapy for shame; the crucial differences between guilt and shame are discussed and the qualities of shame are described, with appropriate connections being made to hiding from oneself and denial, as practiced by alcoholics.