Paul Goodman, 100 years

"Editor’s note: This opening keynote lecture given at the Paul Goodman Centenary conference paints a vivid picture of Goodman’s multifaceted personality within the context of his time. It illustrates how he lived – through his political, literary and pedagogic activities – and furthered his view of the core tenet of and his personal contribution to Gestalt therapy, namely: the free, self-responsible and socially committed individual, a challenger of institu- tional constraints. Key words: Goodman, self-responsibility, social commitment, institutional constraints."