New Books in Psychology Udo Hock, "The Mysterious Messages of the Other: On the Work of Jean Laplanches" (Psychosozial-Verlag, 2024)
Jan 26, 2025
Udo Hock, a renowned German psychoanalyst and Laplanche translator, delves into the complexities of Jean Laplanche's theories in a captivating discussion. He explores the profound influences of the unconscious, highlighting how infantile sexuality shapes our experiences. Hock critiques Freudian concepts and emphasizes the significance of seduction theory, particularly in therapeutic settings. He navigates the dynamics of transference and countertransference, discussing the intricate relations between foundational figures like Freud and Lacan, while envisioning future directions for Laplanche studies.
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Primacy of Other and Sexuality
- Laplanche emphasizes the primacy of the other and sexuality in the unconscious.
- These enigmatic messages from the other have inherent sexual content, tied to the perverse polymorphism of infantile sexuality.
Enigmatic Messages
- Laplanche's concept of the enigmatic message describes an excitation from the adult other that is difficult for a child to process.
- This 'too much excitation' is often unconscious to the adult.
Copernican Revolution
- Laplanche's 'Copernican revolution' centers the unconscious in psychic life, acknowledging its dominant role.
- This revolution, originating with Freud, challenges the conscious mind's centrality.
