Philosopher's Zone Freud, Wittgenstein and the unconscious
Jul 3, 2025
Talia Morag, a Senior lecturer in philosophy at Australian Catholic University and keynote speaker at the Freud, Wittgenstein, and the Unconscious conference, explores the complex landscape of the unconscious. She discusses the tension between Freud's deep, hidden desires and Wittgenstein's surface-level understanding. Morag highlights how emotional patterns from the past shape our present, emphasizing self-awareness in psychoanalysis. The conversation also delves into the subjective nature of psychological interpretation, likening it to art criticism and questioning the scientific rigor of Freud's methods.
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Unconscious: Myth or Metaphor?
- The unconscious is often seen as a hidden realm of emotions and desires influencing behavior.
- However, it lacks scientific evidence and can be viewed as a metaphor or linguistic construct.
Wittgenstein's Therapeutic Philosophy
- Wittgenstein viewed philosophical problems as arising from our mental images or 'pictures.'
- He sought to dissolve such problems by changing these mental frameworks, offering philosophical therapy.
Emotions Shaped by Past Patterns
- Psychoanalysis reveals how our emotional reactions often stem from past relationships, not present situations.
- This pattern of being 'in the grip of a picture' mirrors Wittgenstein's notion of being trapped by a mental picture.
