Of the topics found in psychoanalytic theory it is Freud's philosophy of mind that is at once the most contentious and enduring. Psychoanalytic theory makes bold claims about the significance of unconscious mental processes and the wish-fulfilling activity of the mind, citing their importance for understanding the nature of dreams and explaining both normal and pathological behaviour. However, since Freud's initial work, both modern psychology and philosophy have had much to say about the merits of Freudian thinking. Developments in psychology, philosophy, and psychoanalysis raise new challenges and questions concerning Freud's theory of mind. This book addresses the psychoanalytic concept of mind in the 21st century via a joint scientific and philosophical appraisal of psychoanalytic theory. It provides a fresh critical appraisal and reflection on Freudian concepts, as well as addressing how current evidence and scientific thinking bear upon Freudian theory. The book centres upon the major concepts in psychoanalysis, including the notion of unconscious mental processes and wish-fulfilment and their relationship to dreams, fantasy, attachment processes, and neuroscience.

About the Author
Simon Boag is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Macquarie University where he teaches personality theory, research methods and the history and philosophy of psychology. He has published extensively in the area of Freudian repression and unconscious mental processes, philosophy of mind, conceptual research and is the author of 'Freudian Repression, the Unconscious, and the Dynamics of Inhibition'. Linda A.W. Brakel is Associate Professor (Adjunct) of Psychiatry and Research Associate in Philosophy at the University of Michigan. She is also on the faculty of Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute and practices psychoanalysis in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She has authored and co-authored articles on topics ranging from empirical studies testing psychoanalytic concepts to those on the philosophy of mind and action. Her most recent works are three interdisciplinary books: 'Philosophy, Psychoanalysis, and the A-Rational Mind', 'Unconscious Knowing and Other Essays in Psycho-Philosophical Analysis', and 'The Ontology of Psychology: Questioning Foundations in the Philosophy of Mind'. Vesa Talvitie is a Doctor of Psychology, licensed psychotherapist, organisational consultant (FINOD) and currently works as an occupational psychologist for the City of Helsinki. In addition to numerous articles on psychoanalysis in Finnish and English, he is the author of 'Freudian Unconscious and Cognitive Neuroscience: From Unconscious Fantasies to Neural Algorithms' and 'The Foundations of Psychoanalytic Theories: Project for a Scientific Enough Psychoanalysis'.


Book Information
ISBN 9781782201793
Author Simon Boag
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Karnac Books
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd