What is psychoanalytic sociology?
What is ‘psychoanalytic sociology’? Does it exist as a recognised field of study, either as a sub-field of sociology, or as a sub-field of psychoanalysis? Referencing the Brexit-Trump phenomenon and Fintan O’Toole’s recent book, ‘Heroic Failure’, I will argue the need for psychoanalytic sociology to become established on a more resilient basis. Despite the undoubted importance of Freud for some major figures and schools of thought in sociology, the place of psychoanalysis in the sociological field has seemed to be an elusive and tenuous one. From time to time, there have indeed been fruitful interactions between these two powerful paradigms, describing and explaining phenomena that neither could fully grasp alone. But then, each of these ‘fields’ has largely withdrawn to its own primary area of study, avoiding the other as beyond its grasp and concern. In this paper I will seek to explain how this situation has come about, and ask what might have to happen for this situation to change.
Date: 4 February 2019, 20:15 (Monday, 4th week, Hilary 2019)
Venue: Lecture Room, St John's College Research Centre, 45 St Giles'
Speaker: Michael Rustin (University of East London)
Part of: Interdisciplinary Seminars in Psychoanalysis
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: The seminar is open free of charge to members of the University and to mental health professionals but space is limited. To attend it is helpful (but not essential) to e-mail paul.tod@sjc.ox.ac.uk
Editor: Paul Tod