[Edith Jacobson and Herbert Rosenfeld, an implicit clinical dialog].

In the 1950's and 1960's Edith Jacobson and Herbert Rosenfeld commented critically on one another's work. Beginning with Jacobson's paper on psychotic identifications this controversial but very respectful dialogue continued for over twenty years. At the core of the controversy lay questions of technique. Although Rosenfeld and Jacobson agreed on the central importance of projective identification Jacobson regarded its interpretation in the clinical situation as a mistake. In contrast to Rosenfeld she emphasizes the defensive character of projective identification against psychosis whereas Rosenfeld always understands projective identification as a symptom and therefore considers its interpretation as essential for the modification of concretistic projections. In addition I understand this clinical dialogue as an implicit discussion of the rise and success of National Socialism and the power of destructive projection that flourished in the extermination of European Jewry.