Psychoanalysis in a New Light - Hardcover

Karlsson, Gunnar

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521198054 ISBN 13: 9780521198059

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2010

Synopsis

What kind of a science is psychoanalysis? What constitutes its domain? What truth claims does it maintain? In this unique and scholarly work concerning the nature of psychoanalysis, Gunnar Karlsson guides his arguments through phenomenological thinking which, he claims, can be seen as an alternative to the recent attempts to cite neuropsychoanalysis as the answer to the crisis of psychoanalysis. Karlsson criticizes this effort to ground psychoanalysis in biology and neurology and emphasizes instead the importance of defining the psychoanalytic domain from the vantage point of the character of consciousness. His understanding of the unconscious, the libido and the death drive offer new insights into the nature of psychoanalysis, and he also illuminates and develops neglected dimensions such as consciousness and self-consciousness. Karlsson's approach to psychoanalysis is rigorous yet original, and this book fills an intellectual gap with implications for both the theoretical understanding and clinical issues of psychoanalysis.

About this title

Book Description

Gunnar Karlsson uses phenomenological philosophy and its theory of knowledge to assist in the understanding of psychoanalysis. He considers the foundations for psychoanalysis as a science, what constitutes its domain and what truth claims it maintains. Karlsson's rigorous and original approach will appeal to both professionals and scholars.

About the Author

Gunnar Karlsson is Professor in the Department of Education at Stockholm University. He is also a private practising psychoanalyst.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0521198054
• ISBN 13: 9780521198059
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 232