Dominique Scarfone, "The Reality of the Message: Psychoanalysis in the Wake of Jean Laplanche" (Unconscious in Translation, 2023)
Feb 29, 2024
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Dominique Scarfone discusses the unique aspects of communication between adults and infants in psychoanalysis, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the 'noise' in this exchange. The podcast explores Laplanche's theories on infantile sexuality and the unadaptable nature of the sex drive in psychoanalytic work. The conversation between Scarfone and Saketopoulou offers a deep dive into the complexities of Freudian theory and the innovative approach to psychoanalysis in 'The Reality of the Message.'
Psychoanalysis explores communication between adult and non-speaking individuals, highlighting unique unconscious dimensions.
Collaboration between Scarfone and Saketopoulou challenges traditional psychoanalytic boundaries, emphasizing the radicality of the unconscious.
Exploration of power dynamics and sexual drives in psychoanalysis leads to a deeper understanding of Eros and Thanatos.
Deep dives
The Intersection of Freud and La Planche's Theories
The discussion delves into the collaboration between Dominique Scarfoni and Avi Saketopolo, exploring their work on the intersection of Freud and La Planche's theories. This collaboration aims to bring out the radicality inherent in the unconscious and the insurgent potential it holds.
The Impact of Translation and Transduction in Psychoanalytic Work
Avi's critique of translation and transduction in Dominique's work points to the continuous need for thought-provoking challenges. This approach pushes the boundaries of metapsychology, urging a deeper understanding of the unconscious and its fugitive nature.
Exploring the Eros and Thanatos Drives
Dominique's work on the connection between power and the sexual drive prompts a deep dive into the Eros and Thanatos drives. Avi's investigation into sadism and care in the consulting room adds a new perspective on these complex psychoanalytic concepts.
Expanding Boundaries in Psychoanalytic Field
The conversation between Dominique and Avi showcases a mutual push towards expanding the boundaries within the psychoanalytic field. Their engagement with philosophy, critical theory, and other disciplines enriches their understanding and challenges traditional psychoanalytic perspectives.
Future Directions in Psychoanalytic Discourse
Both Dominique and Avi express a commitment to ongoing learning and exploration outside the realm of traditional psychoanalysis. Their focus on critical theory, philosophy, and interdisciplinary studies signals an exciting direction for future research and discourse in the field.
"I propose we have a conversation after each of your essays as a way to engage your work, to ask for clarifications on the reader's behalf, and to multiply the entry points to your thinking. I imagine that these conversations will work cumulatively, talking the reader deeper into each chapter and also showing your way of thinking not by describing it but by exposing the reader to it 'in vivo.' Part of what your work has offered me personally, which I hope these exchanges will also convey to the reader, is the sheer pleasure of thinking about theory with you -- that it's not a stale or inert process but that, on the contrary, it is an experience in itself." -Avgi Saketopoulou
"While an indisputable fact about human reality is that of communication and its corollary, making sense of what is communicated, only psychoanalysis takes notice of the particular situation created when communication happens between an adult and an infans-literally: the one who does not speak. Nor is it given much attention, even among psychoanalysts, that there is a special 'noise' carried over in the channels of communication between the two, a noise resulting from the difference regarding the unconscious sexual dimension." -Dominique Scarfone