[The worker and the hysteric: two modern subjects]

Area of Science:

• Philosophy
• Psychoanalysis
• Social Theory

Background:

• Marxist theory and psychoanalysis are often considered outdated.
• There is a lack of comparable theoretical frameworks to replace them.
• Marx's 1844 Manuscripts offer an early "theory of the subject."

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a dialogue between Marxist thinking and psychoanalysis.
• To explore the potential links between Marx's concept of the human subject and Freudian psychoanalysis.
• To re-evaluate the relevance of these two intellectual traditions.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Marx's 1844 Manuscripts.
• Examination of Freudian psychoanalytic concepts, particularly desire.
• Interpretation of a Cuban film depicting the conflict between subjective needs and social pacts.
• Comparative analysis of Marxist and Freudian theories of the subject.

Main Results:

• Marx's early work provides a "theory of the subject" that can engage with Freudian thought.
• A dimension of "desire" can be identified in Marx's ideas, creating a bridge to Freud.
• The "worker" (Marx) and the "hysteric" (Freud) can be seen as subjects capable of dialogue.

Conclusions:

• Marxist theory and psychoanalysis, despite their perceived obsolescence, retain significant discursive potential.
• The dialogue between these fields reveals common ground and transcends perceived barriers.
• Revisiting Marx's "theory of the subject" in light of psychoanalysis offers new insights into modern thought.