Abstract

SMADJA, Eric. On symbolism and symbolisation: the work of Freud, Durkheim and Mauss.Translated byMarcia Bernard. Ide (São Paulo) [online]. 2022, vol.44, n.73, pp. 108-120. ISSN 0101-3106.

This theme of symbolism and symbolization which appeared at the end of the XIXth century and the beginning of the XXth century would revolutionize the human and social sciences as a whole all throughout the XXth century, both within each of them and in their interrelationships. Moreover, it would become a "phenomenon of transition", playing a mediating-connecting role within the historical split between the individual and collective fields, between psychology and sociology, in particular. Therefore, it would contribute to practically and theoretically unifying them within a new epistemological space. Thus, symbolism and symbolization would become central concepts of the human sciences that would transform the representation and understanding of human beings, societies and their cultures. Nevertheless, the recent history of these human sciences enables us to detect two quite distinct "epistemological" paths converging towards this common theme. It is a matter, on the one hand, of that taken by Freud and psychoanalysis, and, on the other hand, of that taken by Durkheim, then Mauss, the French school of sociology, then modern French ethnology. So, we are presenting the conceptions of symbolism and symbolisation of our three founders on the subject, which will be followed by a fruitful and necessary discussion. Finally, our exploration of this vast, complex field of symbolism and symbolisation through the revolutionary conceptions of Freud, Durkheim and Mauss raises some inevitable and necessary questions, one of which forces itself upon us: What became of them, or what was their fate within the human and social sciences, particularly in France, during the second half of the XXth century?

Keywords : symbolism; symbolization; Freud, Durkheim and Mauss.

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