Phallus and the Mask: The Patriarchal Unconscious of Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysts have disregarded feminism and its critique of male universalism, but this book aims to shed light on the unthought of Freudian and Lacanian theory by examining the concept of femininity and how phallocentrism obscures the real relations between the sexes, the meaning of desire, and the understanding of sexual difference.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 104 pages
\n Publication date: 30 April 2019
\n Publisher: Mimesis International
\n

Psychoanalysts from various schools have consistently disregarded and occasionally openly rejected feminism and its critique of male universalism. While other disciplines, such as sociology and anthropology, have embraced the contributions of feminist theory, psychoanalysis continues to be hindered by its own unconscious, which perpetuates patriarchal biases. This book aims to shed light on the unconsidered aspects of Freudian and Lacanian theory through an analysis of the concept of femininity. The primary objective is to demonstrate how phallocentrism operates as a veil that obscures the genuine connections between genders, the essence of desire, and the comprehension of sexual difference.

The rejection of feminism by psychoanalysts can be traced back to the early days of the discipline. Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, was known for his misogynistic views and his belief that women were inferior to men. Freud's theories were heavily influenced by his own personal experiences and observations, which included his struggles with his mother and his wife, Martha Bernays. Freud believed that women were driven by their unconscious desires for men, which he saw as a threat to the stability of society.

Freud's theories were widely accepted by the medical establishment and the psychiatric community in the early 20th century. However, as the feminist movement gained momentum in the 1960s and 1970s, psychoanalysts began to question the validity of Freud's theories. Feminist scholars argued that Freud's theories were based on male-centric biases and that they ignored the experiences and perspectives of women. They also pointed out that Freud's theories were often used to justify patriarchal practices and discrimination against women.

Despite these criticisms, psychoanalysis has continued to be influenced by Freudian theory. Many psychoanalysts have adapted Freud's theories to address the experiences of women and to incorporate a more gender-sensitive approach to therapy. However, there are still some psychoanalysts who reject feminism outright and who argue that women are inherently inferior to men.

Lacan, another influential psychoanalyst, also had a complex relationship with feminism. Lacan was known for his emphasis on the symbolic order and the role of the father in the formation of the subject. However, Lacan also believed that women were oppressed by the patriarchal order and that they were unable to achieve true liberation unless they confronted their own unconscious desires for men.

Lacan's theories were widely criticized by feminist scholars for their misogynistic and patriarchal assumptions. They argued that Lacan's theories were based on a male-centric worldview and that they ignored the experiences and perspectives of women. They also pointed out that Lacan's theories were often used to justify the oppression of women and to maintain the status quo.

Despite these criticisms, Lacan's theories have continued to be influential in psychoanalysis. Many psychoanalysts have adapted Lacan's theories to address the experiences of women and to incorporate a more gender-sensitive approach to therapy. However, there are still some psychoanalysts who reject feminism outright and who argue that women are inherently inferior to men.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement within psychoanalysis to challenge the patriarchal biases that underpin Freudian and Lacanian theory. This movement has been led by a group of psychoanalysts who are committed to promoting gender equality and to promoting a more inclusive and diverse approach to therapy. These psychoanalysts argue that the rejection of feminism by psychoanalysis is not only harmful to women but also to men. They argue that the patriarchal order that underpins Freudian and Lacanian theory is harmful to both men and women and that it perpetuates a cycle of oppression and violence.

One of the key arguments of this movement is that the concept of femininity is not a fixed or universal entity but is rather a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that is shaped by a range of social, cultural, and historical factors. These psychoanalysts argue that the rejection of feminism by psychoanalysis is a form of gender essentialism, which posits that there are inherent biological differences between men and women that cannot be overcome. They argue that this approach is harmful to both men and women, as it reinforces the idea that women are inferior to men and that men are inherently violent and aggressive.

Another argument of this movement is that the rejection of feminism by psychoanalysis is a form of heterosexism, which posits that heterosexual relationships are the only valid form of relationships and that any other form of relationship is a form of deviance. These psychoanalysts argue that this approach is harmful to both men and women, as it reinforces the idea that heterosexual relationships are the only valid form of relationships and that any other form of relationship is a form of deviance.

In conclusion, psychoanalysts of all schools have generally dismissed and sometimes openly disapproved feminism and its critique of male universalism. While other disciplines, like sociology and anthropology, have welcomed the contributions of feminist theory, psychoanalysis remains hindered by its own unconscious, which is patriarchal. This book aims to cast light on the unthought of Freudian and Lacanian theory by way of an analysis of the concept of femininity. The aim is to show how phallocentrism functions as a screen which obscures the real relations between the sexes, the meaning of desire and the understanding of sexual difference.

The rejection of feminism by psychoanalysts can be traced back to the early days of the discipline. Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, was known for his misogynistic views and his belief that women were inferior to men. Freud's theories were heavily influenced by his own personal experiences and observations, which included his struggles with his mother and his wife, Martha Bernays. Freud believed that women were driven by their unconscious desires for men, which he saw as a threat to the stability of society.

Freud's theories were widely accepted by the medical establishment and the psychiatric community in the early 20th century. However, as the feminist movement gained momentum in the 1960s and 1970s, psychoanalysts began to question the validity of Freud's theories. Feminist scholars argued that Freud's theories were based on male-centric biases and that they ignored the experiences and perspectives of women. They also pointed out that Freud's theories were often used to justify patriarchal practices and discrimination against women.

Despite these criticisms, psychoanalysis has continued to be influenced by Freudian theory. Many psychoanalysts have adapted Freud's theories to address the experiences of women and to incorporate a more gender-sensitive approach to therapy. However, there are still some psychoanalysts who reject feminism outright and who argue that women are inherently inferior to men.

Lacan, another influential psychoanalyst, also had a complex relationship with feminism. Lacan was known for his emphasis on the symbolic order and the role of the father in the formation of the subject. However, Lacan also believed that women were oppressed by the patriarchal order and that they were unable to achieve true liberation unless they confronted their own unconscious desires for men.

Lacan's theories were widely criticized by feminist scholars for their misogynistic and patriarchal assumptions. They argued that Lacan's theories were based on a male-centric worldview and that they ignored the experiences and perspectives of women. They also pointed out that Lacan's theories were often used to justify the oppression of women and to maintain the status quo.

Despite these criticisms, Lacan's theories have continued to be influential in psychoanalysis. Many psychoanalysts have adapted Lacan's theories to address the experiences of women and to incorporate a more gender-sensitive approach to therapy. However, there are still some psychoanalysts who reject feminism outright and who argue that women are inherently inferior to men.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement within psychoanalysis to challenge the patriarchal biases that underpin Freudian and Lacanian theory. This movement has been led by a group of psychoanalysts who are committed to promoting gender equality and to promoting a more inclusive and diverse approach to therapy. These psychoanalysts argue that the rejection of feminism by psychoanalysis is not only harmful to women but also to men. They argue that the patriarchal order that underpins Freudian and Lacanian theory is harmful to both men and women and that it perpetuates a cycle of oppression and violence.

One of the key arguments of this movement is that the concept of femininity is not a fixed or universal entity but is rather a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that is shaped by a range of social, cultural, and historical factors. These psychoanalysts argue that the rejection of feminism by psychoanalysis is a form of gender essentialism, which posits that there are inherent biological differences between men and women that cannot be overcome. They argue that this approach is harmful to both men and women, as it reinforces the idea that women are inferior to men and that men are inherently violent and aggressive.

Another argument of this movement is that the rejection of feminism by psychoanalysis is a form of heterosexism, which posits that heterosexual relationships are the only valid form of relationships and that any other form of relationship is a form of deviance. These psychoanalysts argue that this approach is harmful to both men and women, as it reinforces the idea that heterosexual relationships are the only valid form of relationships and that any other form of relationship is a form of deviance.

In conclusion, psychoanalysts of all schools have generally dismissed and sometimes openly disapproved feminism and its critique of male universalism. While other disciplines, like sociology and anthropology, have welcomed the contributions of feminist theory, psychoanalysis remains hindered by its own unconscious, which is patriarchal. This book aims to cast light on the unthought of Freudian and Lacanian theory by way of an analysis of the concept of femininity. The aim is to show how phallocentrism functions as a screen which obscures the real relations between the sexes, the meaning of desire and the understanding of sexual difference.

\n Weight: 150g\n
Dimension: 198 x 141 x 9 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9788869771385\n \n