Abstract

PICCINI, Amina Maggi. Intuition: a theoretical lack in psychoanalysis. Rev. bras. psicanál [online]. 2016, vol.50, n.1, pp. 158-182. ISSN 0486-641X.

In psychoanalysis, there is a relative lack in the concept of intuition. Freud mentioned that term only three times, without sticking to it, defining it, showing any interest in it. In Freud’s pupils’ work, the same indifference may be found. Why? Would it be because Jung, the dissident pupil, gave it value? Or (would it be) for fear that psychoanalysis might be considered not scientific, if the use of intuition was recognized in clinical practice? After several unsuccessful bibliographic searches, we finally found a clear interest in intuitive function in Bion’s work, where it is considered a psychoanalyst’s fundamental tool. In post-Freudian psychoanalytic works, we can often find allusions to intuition without mentioning the word. Those who undervalue the term use it; those who use it do not define it; those who value it use it in quotes. The unclear idea of intuition in psychoanalysis is propitious to the anonymous feature of its function. In order to attempt to define intuition, this paper establishes a connection among some of the few authors who specifically referred to this function (Jung, Bion, Grinberg, Medina, Trinca etc.). However, even if we have defined it, when it will be said something is intuition, someone may claim it is another process - which shows a lack that lets the same term be used to refer to other theoretical principles and conceptual definitions. If a fully accepted definition cannot be achieved, it is necessary to observe how the authors herein mentioned use intuition.

Keywords : intuition; transference; empathy.

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