Wilfred Bion introduced the concept of ‘O’ in his 1965 work, Transformations. In this text, Bion’s thinking underwent a significant shift, leading to the development of this profound idea.
The concept of ‘O’ represents absolute truth and ultimate reality—elements that are infinite, unknowable, and beyond logical definition. Bion considered ‘O’ central to clinical work, referring to it as “the central psychoanalytic perspective.”
Bion’s exploration of ‘O’ reflects his interest in the ineffable aspects of human experience, positioning him as a psychoanalytic mystic. His work invites both analysts and patients to engage with the unknown and the unrepresentable, fostering a deeper understanding of the human psyche.
