Subject in first person--subject in third person: subject, subjectivity, and intersubjectivity

Area of Science:

• Psychoanalytic Theory
• Psychology
• Philosophy of Mind

Background:

• The concepts of subject, subjectivity, and intersubjectivity are central to psychoanalytic thought.
• Historical analysis reveals varying emphases and implications of these concepts across psychoanalytic theories.
• A need exists to clarify the distinct meanings and relationships between subject and subjectivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To trace the historical development of subject, subjectivity, and intersubjectivity in psychoanalytic theory.
• To emphasize the unique implications and contexts of these concepts.
• To explore the interdependence between the subject, subjectivity, and the intersubjective domain.

Main Methods:

• Historical review of psychoanalytic literature.
• Conceptual analysis of subject, subjectivity, and intersubjectivity.
• Exploration of first-person (experiential) and third-person perspectives.

Main Results:

• Psychoanalytic theories have not sufficiently distinguished between the subject and subjectivity.
• The subject and their subjectivity are mutually interdependent with the intersubjective domain.
• First-person subjective experience relies on the intersubjective dimension for its formation and understanding.

Conclusions:

• Distinguishing subject and subjectivity is crucial for a nuanced understanding of psychoanalytic concepts.
• The development of the individual subject is intrinsically linked to intersubjective interactions.
• Theoretical advancements in psychoanalysis require a deeper appreciation of the subject's relationship with the intersubjective world.