A Brief Apocalyptic History of Psychoanalysis: Erasing Trauma

A Brief Apocalyptic History of Psychoanalysis explores the trauma of circumcision experienced by Emma Eckstein,Freud's most important patient,and its impact on the development of psychoanalysis. Carlo Bonomi argues that this unacknowledged trauma was inscribed in Freud's system of thinking, leading to the emergence of new psychoanalytic theories and practices.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 266 pages
Publication date: 20 February 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

A Brief Apocalyptic History of Psychoanalysis takes us on a journey back to the origins of psychoanalysis and the profound trauma that lies at its core: castration. This book delves into the painful experiences of Emma Eckstein, Freud's most significant patient during his transition from the "seduction theory." The story unfolds against the backdrop of cultural and personal factors that prevented Freud from fully acknowledging the traumatic nature of Eckstein's genital mutilation, known as "Beschneidung" (circumcision). Despite this, the trauma inflicted upon Eckstein deeply resonated with Freud, intertwining his personal circumcision, the echoes of a violently anti-Semitic environment, and conflicts with his father. By considering Freud's countertransference to Eckstein's trauma, a radically different perspective emerges on the origins of psychoanalysis. Carlo Bonomi argues that the unacknowledged trauma of circumcision was deeply embedded within Freud's system of thinking, serving as an amputated legacy that would give rise to the dreams and fantasies of Freud's closest disciples. Among them, Sándor Ferenczi played a pivotal role in restoring this wounded body, thereby laying the foundation for a new psychoanalytic theory and practice. Bonomi's "apocalyptic" narrative expands the horizons of psychoanalysts, psychoanalytic psychotherapists, historians of psychoanalysis, and scholars of gender studies and Jewish studies alike. It sheds light on the complex interplay between trauma, sexuality, and the development of psychoanalytic theory, offering a profound understanding of the historical and cultural contexts that shaped Freud's work.

Weight: 446g
Dimension: 233 x 156 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032404332