Publisher Description

What kind of a science is psychoanalysis? What constitutes its domain? What truth claims does it maintain? In this unique and scholarly work concerning the nature of psychoanalysis, Gunnar Karlsson guides his arguments through phenomenological thinking which, he claims, can be seen as an alternative to the recent attempts to cite neuropsychoanalysis as the answer to the crisis of psychoanalysis. Karlsson criticizes this effort to ground psychoanalysis in biology and neurology and emphasizes instead the importance of defining the psychoanalytic domain from the vantage point of the character of consciousness. His understanding of the unconscious, the libido and the death drive offer new insights into the nature of psychoanalysis, and he also illuminates and develops neglected dimensions such as consciousness and self-consciousness. Karlsson's approach to psychoanalysis is rigorous yet original, and this book fills an intellectual gap with implications for both the theoretical understanding and clinical issues of psychoanalysis.

Author Biography

Gunnar Karlsson is Professor in the Department of Education at Stockholm University. He is also a private practising psychoanalyst.

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Phenomenology and psychoanalysis; 2. The life-world as the ground for sciences; 3. A critical examination of neuropsychoanalysis; 4. The conceptualization of the psychical in psychoanalysis; 5. The libido as the core of the unconscious; 6. The grounding of libido in the life-world experience; 7. Beyond the pleasure principle: the affirmation of existence; 8. The question of truth claims in psychoanalysis; Concluding remarks.

Review

'An invaluable study of Husserl's phenomenology and Freud's psychoanalysis in relation to modern neuroscience. Karlsson's engaging writing and crystal-clear style make this an extremely worthwhile book.' Juliet Flower MacCannell, University of California, Irvine
'I do not know of any other books that approach the problem of the unconscious from a phenomenological epistemological perspective. This book fills an intellectual gap, is highly original and very persuasive.' Jo Nash, University of Sheffield
'What [Karlsson] does across eight short chapters is to define and trace phenomenological philosophy's approach to understanding the human and then apply that understanding to psychoanalysis, using both Freud's writings and other analysts' interpretations of Freud's work. In the end, [he] both clarifies and complicates psychoanalysis, offering up an interpretation that somehow manages to be true to Freud's ideas while also offering a new view on an old subject.' PsycCRITIQUES
'Karlsson's book redefines the significance and purpose of psychoanalysis from a phenomenological perspective that conceives of psychoanalysis as a science (searching for truth) and 'not merely as a method of treatment' … This project is clearly executed with helpful chapter summaries along the way. Overall, it casts a powerful phenomenological searchlight upon the couch, levering the intelligibility of psychoanalytic theory off from dependence on its own empirical moment …' Sara Beardsworth, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

Promotional

A study of psychoanalysis based on phenomenological philosophy, which offers new insights and develops neglected dimensions of the field.

Review Quote

'What [Karlsson] does across eight short chapters is to define and trace phenomenological philosophy's approach to understanding the human and then apply that understanding to psychoanalysis, using both Freud's writings and other analysts' interpretations of Freud's work. In the end, [he] both clarifies and complicates psychoanalysis, offering up an interpretation that somehow manages to be true to Freud's ideas while also offering a new view on an old subject.' PsycCRITIQUES

Promotional "Headline"

A study of psychoanalysis based on phenomenological philosophy, which offers new insights and develops neglected dimensions of the field.

Description for Bookstore

Gunnar Karlsson uses phenomenological philosophy and its theory of knowledge to assist in the understanding of psychoanalysis. He considers the foundations for psychoanalysis as a science, what constitutes its domain and what truth claims it maintains. Karlsson's rigorous and original approach will appeal to both professionals and scholars.

Description for Library

Gunnar Karlsson uses phenomenological philosophy and its theory of knowledge to assist in the understanding of psychoanalysis. He considers the foundations for psychoanalysis as a science, what constitutes its domain and what truth claims it maintains. Karlsson's rigorous and original approach will appeal to both professionals and scholars.

Details