Tragic Consciousness and Therapeutic Presence

Tragic Consciousness and Therapeutic Presence

This paper examines the evolution of tragic consciousness from ancient Greek philosophy through biblical theology to contemporary therapeutic practice. While modern medicine has largely rejected tragic sensibility in favor of technological optimism, this essay argues that recovering an authentic understanding of the tragic—informed by both Hellenic and Hebraic traditions—can deepen and transform clinical care. Drawing from Greek dramatic theory, biblical theology, kabbalistic mysticism, and contemporary healing philosophy, the paper proposes a framework for therapeutic encounter that honors human limitation while maintaining space for genuine transformation. The clinical implications include new approaches to medical education, patient care, and the healer's own spiritual development within the tragic-sacred dialectic of contemporary healthcare.