Intersubjectivity And Analytic Field Theory.

Area of Science:

• Psychoanalysis
• Philosophy of Mind
• Social Theory

Background:

• Intersubjectivity is central to contemporary psychoanalysis but lacks a precise definition.
• It is often conflated with the 'interpersonal,' implying interaction between pre-formed subjects.
• This common usage diverges from its original philosophical roots in Husserl's work.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define intersubjectivity clearly and specifically within psychoanalysis.
• To reconnect psychoanalytic concepts with the original philosophical meaning of intersubjectivity.
• To evaluate existing psychoanalytic models based on this refined understanding.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical analysis of Husserl's and Merleau-Ponty's concepts of intersubjectivity.
• Re-evaluation of psychoanalytic theory through the lens of original intersubjectivity.
• Development of a continuum to classify intersubjective psychoanalytic models.

Main Results:

• The original philosophical concept dissolves the subjectivity-intersubjectivity opposition into a dialectic.
• Psychoanalytic techniques can be refined by applying this dialectic understanding.
• Psychoanalytic models can be categorized on a spectrum from 'weak' to 'strong' intersubjectivity, with post-Bionian analytic field theory as a prime example of strong intersubjectivity.

Conclusions:

• A precise definition of intersubjectivity, rooted in its philosophical origins, is crucial for psychoanalysis.
• This refined understanding allows for a more coherent technical approach and a clearer classification of intersubjective models.
• Distinguishing between 'weak' and 'strong' intersubjectivity provides a valuable framework for analyzing psychoanalytic approaches.