Kafka’s trial dilemma: Proposal of a practical solution to Joseph K.’s unknown accusation

Abstract

Numerous interpretations have been proposed to Kafka’s writings, due to their hermetic nature. Psychological interpretations have been the object of numerous psychoanalytical studies, but not of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) studies; nor have there been attempts to propose a solution to Kafka’s inner conflicts supposedly pictured by his characters. In this paper, I assume that Kafka intended to propose a universal principle of self-accusation by human beings. I also assume that self-accusations occur as schemas and core beliefs about the self described by cognitive therapists, and that being aware of such cognitions might permit the patient to organize his or her own defense. Thus, it is possible to set an enquiry to identify the self-accusations and mobilize the characters in the inner tribunal to help the patient judge himself with a more realistic and informed basis. Empirical data supporting this hypothesis as well as the approach I proposed to deal with it are presented in this paper.