Abstract

PINHEIRO, Elaine  and  HERZOG, Regina. Psychoanalysis and Neurosciences: antagonistic or compatible views?. Tempo psicanal. [online]. 2017, vol.49, n.1, pp. 37-61. ISSN 0101-4838.

The current direction of seeing psychic manifestations as being primarily biological manifestations has sparked criticism towards psychoanalysis. The latter is often seen as a treatment of minor importance when compared to drug and behavioral therapies. Psychoanalysts respond pointing out the need to secure a place for the uniqueness of each individual rather than a collective standardization of subjectivities. Even though Freud pursued a science project, he took distance from the medicine of his time when he faced symptoms that could not be biologicaly explained. Today, as some argue the relevance of Freud's ideas, others announce their end, arguing that Freud himself wondered whether future developments in the knowledge about the brain could make his ideas obsolete. This paper presents a reflection on the role of psychoanalysis today, with all biology's advances. Among authors in favor of a connection with neurosciences and authors who see this dialogue as pointless, we address to some neuroscientific findings that align with Freud's ideas; the cultural context that privileges physicalist explanations; the difficulty in understanding the mental phenomenon as restricted to brain activity; and technical and therapeutic assumptions of psychoanalysis. Finally, we reflect on what could be a dialogue that respects the specific characteristics of both fields.

Keywords : psychoanalysis; psychoanalysis and neuroscience; ethics; clinic; subject.

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