Abstract

LIBERMANN, Zelig. Après-coup: the traumatic dimension. Rev. bras. psicanál [online]. 2015, vol.49, n.4, pp. 118-132. ISSN 0486-641X.

The concepts of conscious and unconscious lead to an heterogeneous temporality, which is present in different expressions of psyche. This heterogeneity of time became even more complex due to the concept of Nachträglichkeit, which is better-known as the French term après-coup. The concept of après-coup has changed the notions of psychic causality and temporality, as it refers to a two-stage phenomenon: mnemonic traces are remodeled from ulterior facts. These ulterior facts will provide them meaning and psychic efficacy due to their symbolic relation with past facts. Freud did not propose a specific theory about Nachträglichkeit; different meanings for the term can be found in his work. These factors, plus the fact that Nachträglichkeit had been no longer found in post-Freudian psychoanalytic papers until the 50's, contributed to a loss of specificity in the concept, which has been more commonly used as "afterwardness". From another point of view, this paper aims to emphasize a certain specificity of the après-coup phenomenon, highlighting its traumatic, transforming aspects. This point of view distinguishes it from the prevailing notion in psychoanalysis: a late, retrospective understanding.

Keywords : après-coup; trauma; temporality; resignification.

        · abstract in Portuguese | Spanish     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )