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Psychoanalysis and the moral high ground.

¹janemilton@compuserve.com

The International Journal of Psycho-Analysis

|January 6, 2001

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Our moral sense may be an adaptive biological strategy, influencing psychoanalysis. This innate drive for goodness shapes ego development and can lead to a

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Area of Science:

Psychoanalytic theory
Evolutionary psychology
Moral psychology

Background:

Moral issues are central to the human psyche and psychoanalysis.
The concept of 'goodness' is a fundamental aspect of self and interpersonal experience.
Kleinian theory posits a 'natural morality' linked to psychological development.

Observation:

The human need to seek and aspire to goodness influences ego development.
This innate drive manifests as a moral quest, seeking approval from internal and external objects.
The 'moral high ground' can be falsely claimed, distorting self and object perceptions.

Findings:

A 'natural morality' emerges with the 'depressive position', fostering care and concern for others.
The pursuit of goodness involves a complex interplay of self-approval and object approval.

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Psychoanalytic practice can be derailed by the pursuit of moral superiority over objective truth.

Implications:

Understanding the biological basis of morality can inform psychoanalytic approaches.
Recognizing the potential for misusing psychoanalytic theory for moral advantage is crucial.
Clinical application requires vigilance against assuming the 'moral high ground' in analysis.