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Psychoanalysis has transformed our culture. We constantly use and refer to ideas from psychoanalysis, often unconsciously. Psychology, philosophy, politics, sociology, women's studies, anthropology, literary studies, cultural studies, and other disciplines have been permeated by the competing schools of psychoanalysis. But what of psychoanalysis itself? Where is it going one hundred years after Freud's own speculations took shape? Does it still have a role to play in cultural debate, or should it perhaps be abandoned? <EM>Speculations After Freud confronts the dilemmas of contemporary psychoanalysis by bringing together some of the most influential and best known writers on psychoanalysis, philosophy and culture. The advocates and critics of psychoanalysis, both institutional and theoretical, critically appraise the powerful role psychoanalytic speculation plays in all areas of culture.
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Speculations after Freud
Psychoanalysis has emerged from the intimate, personal experience of therapy into the wider public domain: it has become a cultural term of reference which underpins many disciplines. It has sought to become the dominant language of psychological and social discourse, while trying to remain a separate and institutionally controlled discipline. Owing to this double bind, its own identity is now increasingly in crisis: does it still have a role to play in cultural debate, or must new forms of thinking be developed in its place? This volume, a collection of essays on the intersections between psychoanalysis, philosophy and cultural studies, asks questions about the future of psychoanalysis. Addressing the dilemmas afflicting contemporary psychoanalysis, Speculations after Freud pits together advocates and critics of psychoanalysis in order to challenge its assumptions and its powerful hold on contemporary culture. Sonu Shamdasani is a researcher on the history and philosophy of psychology. He is Consultant to the Psychoanalytic Forum at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, and the editor of Jung’s Seminar on Kundalini Yoga (forthcoming). Michael Münchow is a freelance writer and translator on psychoanalysis and philosophy based in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Speculations after Freud Psychoanalysis, philosophy and culture
Edited by Sonu Shamdasani and Michael Münchow
London and New York
First published 1994 by Routledge 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2002. Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001 © 1994 selection and editorial matter: Sonu Shamdasani and Michael Münchow; individual chapters: the contributors All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Speculations after Freud: psychoanalysis, philosophy, and culture/edited by Sonu Shamdasani and Michael Münchow. p. cm. Based on papers presented at the conference Speculations: appraising psychoanalysis, philosophy and cultural studies, held Oct. 26–28, 1990. Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. Psychoanalysis—Philosophy—Congresses. 2. Psychoanalysis and philosophy—Congresses. 3. Psychoanalysis and culture—Congresses. 4. Freud, Sigmund, 1856–1939—Congresses. I. Shamdasani, Sonu, 1962–. II. Münchow, Michael, 1961–. BF175.S615 1994 150.19’5–dc20 93–26967 CIP ISBN 0-415-07655-2 (hbk) ISBN 0-415-07656-0 (pbk) ISBN 0-203-04912-8 Master e-book ISBN ISBN