[Psychoanalytic proposals for a clinical theory]

The principle that increasing the collection of data through an exchange of clinical experience means scientific progress for psychoanalysis is criticized: this can be achieved only by adopting new theories or paradigms. Freudian metapsychology in an unsatisfactory theory because instead of explaining clinical data, it contrasts them but an exclusively empirical theory would limit psychoanalysis. The Author suggests to adopt and develop a structural paradigm. The concept of structure is utilized at neurophysiological level, at psychological structures level and finally in the structuralistic analysis of psychoanalytical multiple narratives. Three types of theories are considered clinically: descriptive, comprehensive (of multiple aims and meanings) and genetic. The articulation of comprehensive and genetic theories with the hypothetical theory level represented by psychological structures is being sought. This different theoretical approach will also involve differences at technical level and the Author deals with this latter aspect by referring to interpretations, transference dreams and pathology.