Remains of a Self: Solitude in the Aftermath of Psychoanalysis and Deconstruction

Psychoanalysis and deconstruction have challenged our conceptions of subjectivity and selfhood, revealing that "otherness" interferes in our most intimate relations. Deconstruction went to the foundations of Western constructions of "the subject" and "the self," but found a destabilizing otherness always already haunting them. This book offers a two-pronged approach: neither psychoanalysis nor deconstruction propounds a simple annihilation or liquidation of the subject or self, but they do not pave the way for a "return to the subject" or "resurrection of the self." Instead, we must retrace the subject and the self as undergoing perpetual auto-deconstruction.

Format: Hardback
Length: 324 pages
Publication date: 29 June 2021
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

From the 20th century to the 21st, psychoanalysis and deconstruction have posed and continue to pose significant challenges to our understanding of subjectivity and selfhood. Psychoanalysis has revealed that even within the confines of our most intimate relationships, instances of "otherness" constantly intervene, forcing us to adapt continuously. Deconstruction, inheriting both this psychoanalytic disclosure and Heidegger's destruction of the history of metaphysics, delved into the foundations of Western conceptions of "the subject" and "the self," only to uncover the persistent presence of a destabilizing otherness that haunted them.

In the aftermath of deconstruction, a misguided notion of the "death of the subject" gained traction, and in recent years, there have been attempts to revive the notions of "the subject," "the self," and "agency." However, this book takes a different approach. On the one hand, it argues that neither psychoanalysis nor deconstruction advocates for a simple annihilation or liquidation of the subject. On the other hand, they do not provide a clear path toward a "return to the subject" or "resurrection of the self" that would restore our confidence in our presence to ourselves. Instead, this book proposes that if we take up the heritage from psychoanalysis and deconstruction seriously, we must recognize the subject and the self as undergoing perpetual auto-deconstruction.

In this context, it is important to explore the implications of this auto-deconstruction. One aspect is the dissolution of traditional binaries and hierarchies, such as the distinction between subject and object, self and other, and consciousness and unconsciousness. Deconstruction challenges these binaries and reveals the complex interconnections and fluidity within these categories. This dissolution of boundaries opens up new possibilities for understanding and experiencing ourselves and the world around us.

Another aspect of auto-deconstruction is the questioning of fixed identities and stable narratives. Deconstruction challenges the notion of a fixed and unchanging self and instead emphasizes the fluid and dynamic nature of identity. It encourages us to explore the multiplicity of our experiences, perspectives, and identities and to recognize the ways in which they are constantly evolving and changing. This questioning of identity can lead to a sense of liberation and self-discovery, as we become more aware of the constraints and limitations imposed by traditional notions of self.

However, the process of auto-deconstruction is not without its challenges. It can be unsettling and disorienting, as we navigate through the dissolution of familiar structures and the emergence of new uncertainties. It requires a willingness to engage in critical self-reflection and to be open to the possibility of change and transformation. It can also be confronting, as we confront the darker aspects of our selves and our relationships with others, including the ways in which we perpetuate systems of oppression and violence.

In conclusion, psychoanalysis and deconstruction have profoundly challenged our conceptions of subjectivity and selfhood. Through the revelation of the destabilizing otherness that haunts our most intimate relationships, they have encouraged us to adapt continuously and to explore the complex interconnections and fluidity within our selves and the world around us. The process of auto-deconstruction, while challenging, offers the potential for liberation, self-discovery, and transformation. However, it requires a willingness to engage in critical self-reflection and to be open to the possibility of change and transformation. As we continue to navigate the complexities of the 21st century, it is essential to embrace the legacy of psychoanalysis and deconstruction and to engage in ongoing self-exploration and self-deconstruction.

Weight: 658g
Dimension: 227 x 160 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538153352