Psychoanalytic Thinking: A Dialectical Critique of Contemporary Theory and Practice

Psychoanalysis has become a multi-paradigm science since the late 1950s, with different frameworks engaging only with those in the same or related intellectual silos. Psychoanalytic Thinking: A Dialectical Critique of Contemporary Theory and Practice reviews and critically evaluates post-Freudian contributions to psychoanalytic thought, offering valuable correctives and innovations. Carveth's book explores the enduring value of these diverse contributions and exposes the dialectically deconstructive method of critique as central to psychoanalytic thinking.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 270 pages
Publication date: 03 April 2018
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Since the late 1950s, when the classical Freudian and ego psychology paradigms lost their dominant position, psychoanalysis has evolved into a multi-paradigm science, with individuals working within different frameworks engaging primarily with those in similar or related intellectual silos. This shift has led to a fragmentation of psychoanalytic thought, with each framework focusing solely on its own perspectives and disregarding contributions from other frameworks.

In response to the limitations and biases in Freud's work, several influential post-Freudian thinkers emerged. Melanie Klein, Wilfred Bion, Jacques Lacan, Erich Fromm, Donald Winnicott, Heinz Kohut, Heinrich Racker, and Ernest Becker, among others, offered valuable correctives and innovations to psychoanalytic theory. However, these contributions also exhibited their own forms of one-sidedness.

To address these issues, Don Carveth has undertaken a comparative exploration of diverse psychoanalytic contributions. Through his work, readers gain a sense of what is enduringly valuable within these diverse perspectives, while also being exposed to the dialectically deconstructive method of critique that Carveth believes is central to psychoanalytic thinking at its best. Carveth challenges the taboo against discussing the Imaginary, Symbolic, and Real unless one is a Lacanian, the paranoid-schizoid and depressive positions unless one is a Kleinian, the id, ego, superego, ego-ideal, and conscience unless one is a Freudian ego psychologist, and so on.

Out of dialogue and mutual critique, psychoanalysis has the potential to evolve and separate the wheat from the chaff. By engaging with different frameworks and perspectives, psychoanalysis can gather insights and approaches that can contribute to an ever-evolving synthesis. This process of integration and collaboration can lead to a deeper understanding of human psychology and the development of more effective therapeutic interventions.

In conclusion, the evolution of psychoanalysis from a single paradigm to a multi-paradigm science has brought both challenges and opportunities. While the fragmentation of psychoanalytic thought has led to a lack of dialogue and mutual critique, it has also allowed for the exploration of diverse perspectives and the development of innovative approaches to understanding human psychology. By embracing dialogue and critique, psychoanalysis can continue to evolve and contribute to the field of psychology and mental health.

Weight: 432g
Dimension: 154 x 233 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138560727