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The classic and the romantic vision in psychoanalysis.
1Department of Philosophy, Hebrew University, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem.
The International Journal of Psycho-Analysis
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Psychoanalysis navigates a core tension between classicism and romanticism. This reflects the human need for experience versus self-reflection, crucial for maturity and wisdom.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychoanalytic Theory
- Intellectual History
Background:
- Psychoanalysis embodies a historical tension between classicism and romanticism.
- Classical views emphasize objectivity and rationality, distrusting subjectivity.
- Romantic views focus on selfhood and environmental influences on mental suffering.
Observation:
- Freud exemplifies the classical psychoanalytic approach, using "benevolent suspicion" to uncover the pleasure principle for maturation.
- Kohut represents the romantic vision, seeking healthy striving behind perceived illness and emphasizing the normal need for idealization.
Findings:
- This classicism-romanticism tension manifests in both psychoanalytic theory and clinical practice.
- The conflict highlights the interplay between the human drive for experience and the capacity for self-reflection.
Implications:
- The tension is argued to be irresolvable, reflecting fundamental aspects of human development.
- Understanding this dichotomy is essential for achieving psychological maturity and wisdom.