Abstract

SCHMIDT-HELLERAU, Cordelia. The dark side of the Moon. Rev. bras. psicanál [online]. 2023, vol.57, n.3, pp.27-45.  Epub Nov 04, 2024. ISSN 0486-641X.  https://doi.org/10.69904/0486-641x.v57n3.03.

In her reappraisal of drive theory (briefly summarized here), the author develops the economic, theoretical and structural conditions of the unconscious. She focuses on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the two opposing drive energies, the libido of the sexual and life drive and the lethe of the conservation and death drive. She understands that the former has a tendency towards the conscious, while the latter has a tendency towards the unconscious. From the micro to the macro level, each structure is conceived as a combination of the representations of both drives. Their interaction, which guarantees the dynamic stability of the psyche - the pleasure principle/homeostasis -, is organized into structures. This applies both to individual representation (e.g., self, object) and to psychic instances (e.g., id, ego, superego), as well as to the linking of representations in memories, fantasies or dreams. Using Bertram Lewin’s concept of empty, white or black dream screen (mostly unconscious), on which dreams (consciously available) are projected, the author proposes assuming for each representation a libidinal foreground, which tends towards consciousness, and a lethic background, which tends towards the unconscious. According to this conception, the unconscious is a component of all psychic processes. At the same time, the unconscious of the first topic and the id of the second topic would be dominantly cathected with lethic energy, while the conscious parts of the ego and the superego/ideal ego should be predominantly cathected with libido.

Keywords : metapsychology; drive theory; drive energy; structure formation; unconscious.

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