[Interpretation between determinism and hermeneutics. A new approach]

There are two traditional views of psychoanalytic interpretation. One takes its bearings from Freud and regards the present condition of the subject as determined by his/her real past. The objective is then to uncover the "real" history. The other may be termed hermeneutic/creative and has its origins in authors such as C.G. Jung and Paul Ricoeur. It looks upon interpretation as a process of conferring subsequent significance on a fragmentary past devoid of meaning. In an attempt to break away from this rigid dualism, the author describes interpretation in the analysis context as a method of deconstruction with the aim of creating scope for new constructions that are the work of the person undergoing analysis. In the light of this approach interpretation reveals itself as an expression of the unity of constraint (determinism) and freedom (hermeneutics).