ABSTRACT
The psychoanalytic method resembles a form of the ancient Greek mode of study called techne. It requires open-minded observation based more on assessment of the specific problem at hand than on the use of formal theoretical guidelines, and allows the psychoanalyst to see things beyond his theoretical framework, which is kept in abeyance. He then makes something like an educated guess about the meaning of what he has observed, aided by his receptivity to non-verbal song-and-dance. Official psychoanalysis has attempted to circumvent this character by declaration or fiat asserting that psychoanalysis simply is a science. In contrast, techne is a thoughtful examination of the way in which each analysis is carried out. This type of investigation is appropriate to the examination of the mind.
