On the Destruction and Death Drives

The book "On the Death and Destruction Drives" explores the concept of the "death drive" and its influence on human behavior, drawing from Freud's work and other classical and post-Freudian authors. It offers a new perspective on the relationship between the life drive and the death drive and sheds light on non-neurotic phenomena and structures.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 29 June 2023
Publisher: Phoenix Publishing House

The notion of living with the notion of bearing a death force fundamentally directed at oneself is undoubtedly challenging to accept. It is, in any case, less so than the idea that we are all murderers, that we are ever ready to plead legitimate defense or the need to survive so as to strike out at another. André Green, from the Foreword What drives men to kill and self-destruct? On the Death and Destruction Drives traces the introduction and development of the controversial concept of the “death drive”, from the work of Freud (1920–1938) to the main contributions of classical and post-Freudian authors, including Ferenczi, Klein, Bion, Winnicott, and Lacan. Shedding light on non-neurotic phenomena and structures, such as anorexia, bulimia, depression, suicide, criminal behavior, André Green offers a new perspective on the relationship between the life drive (Eros) and the death drive (Thanatos). André Green was a key figure in contemporary psychoanalysis, who embraced philosophy and an international outlook to enhance psychoanalytic theory. This book was one of his last works, originally published in French as Pourquoi les pulsions de destruction ou de mort? in 2012. Greens defense of one of Freud’s most daring revisions of his drive theory remains relevant to psychoanalytic work today, and it is an honor to bring this excellent translation to the English-speaking world. To enhance its worth, the book includes an introduction from translator Steven Jaron to clarify certain technical terms and situate the book within Greens oeuvre. This book is an important contribution to the development of psychoanalytic theory and essential reading for all trainee and practicing psychoanalysts.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781912691647