In this engaging conversation, Dr. Joel Whitebook, a philosopher and psychoanalyst from Columbia University, delves into his major work on Freud's intellectual biography. He explores the intricacies of Freud's life and theories, emphasizing the interplay between personal experiences and intellectual achievements. Whitebook critiques resistance to introspection in therapy, discusses the fusion of Marxist and Freudian ideas, and reveals hidden traumas that informed Freud's work. He presents a fresh perspective on Freud's legacy as both timeless and relevant.
57:26
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Frankfurt School's Integration of Psychoanalysis
The Frankfurt School integrated psychoanalysis into critical social theory.
They combined Marx, Hegel, Freud, and Max Weber's ideas to critique modernity.
insights INSIGHT
Life and Work: Kantian vs. Reductionist
Two schools of thought exist regarding the relationship between an individual's life and work.
One is Kantian, separating the two, and the other is reductionist, overemphasizing biographical influence.
insights INSIGHT
Resistance to Inward Focus
People resist turning their awareness inward, preferring to attribute problems to external factors.
This resistance is amplified in today's screen-saturated world, contributing to psychoanalysis's decline.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Joel Whitebook's "Freud: An Intellectual Biography" offers a comprehensive look at Sigmund Freud's life and work, integrating recent developments in psychoanalytic theory, gender studies, and cultural theory. The book challenges conventional portrayals of Freud, presenting a nuanced portrait of the man and his ideas. Whitebook explores the interplay between Freud's personal life, societal context, and the evolution of his theories. He examines Freud's impact on subsequent fields, demonstrating the continued relevance of his work. The biography is written in a clear and engaging style, making it accessible to both specialists and general readers.
We interview Dr. Joel Whitebook, philosopher and psychoanalyst about his bookFreud: An Intellectual Biography(Cambridge UP, 2017). Dr. Whitebook works in Critical Theory in the tradition of the Frankfurt School, developing that tradition with his clinical and philosophical knowledge of recent advances in psychoanalytic theory.
The life and work of Sigmund Freud continue to fascinate general and professional readers alike. Joel Whitebook here presents the first major biography of Freud since the last century, taking into account recent developments in psychoanalytic theory and practice, gender studies, philosophy, cultural theory, and more. Offering a radically new portrait of the creator of psychoanalysis, this book explores the man in all his complexity alongside an interpretation of his theories that cuts through the stereotypes that surround him. The development of Freud's thinking is addressed not only in the context of his personal life, but also in that of society and culture at large, while the impact of his thinking on subsequent issues of psychoanalysis, philosophy, and social theory is fully examined. Whitebook demonstrates that declarations of Freud's obsolescence are premature, and, with his clear and engaging style, brings this vivid figure to life in compelling and readable fashion.
New Books in Psychoanalysis