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Psychoanalysis and Ethics Ernest Wallwork

Psychoanalysis and Ethics By Ernest Wallwork

Psychoanalysis and Ethics by Ernest Wallwork


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Summary

Freud's psychoanalytical discoveries have had a profound impact on morals but in this text, the author asserts that Freud is misunderstood on the various psychological issues relevant to morality and the ethical implications that can be drawn from his views. He reinterprets Freud's ideas.

Psychoanalysis and Ethics Summary

Psychoanalysis and Ethics by Ernest Wallwork

Psychoanalysis has had a profound impact on popular morals, for Freuds discoveries have made us aware that unconscious motivations may subvert moral conduct and that moral judgments may be rationalizations of self-interest or expressions of hostility. Freud has, in fact, been called a founder of the hermeneutics of suspicion that pervades modern attitudes toward morality. In this book, however, a psychoanalyst who is also a professor of ethics asserts that we do not accurately understand Freud on the various psychological issues relevant to morality and the ethical implications that can be drawn from his views. Ernest Wallwork offers a bold reinterpretation of Freudian theory, showing the ways in which it points toward the possibility of genuine moral behavior.

Wallwork provides close textual analyses of Freuds works from a new philosophical perspective, considering such central Freudian doctrines as psychic determinism, the pleasure principle, narcissism, object-love, and defense mechanisms. He demonstrates that, contrary to widespread belief, Freuds views on determinism allow for moral responsibility, his understanding of the pleasure principle and narcissism allows for acting out of concern of others, and his critique of the cultural superego is grounded in an ethic informed by ego rationality. Focusing throughout on Freuds seminal understanding of the self-in-conflict, Wallwork finds and ethical theory suggested by Freuds work that is naturalistic and grounded in a concept of human flourishing and regard for others and concerned with the common good, special relations, and individual rights.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Foundational issues: the hermeneutical problem of reading Freud; the determinism - free will problem; reconciling the paradox - psychic determinism and moral responsibility. Part 2 Psychological egoism: overview of psychological egoism; the pleasure principle and psychological hedonism; narcissism; object love. Part 3 Normative implications: on modifying normative standards - the case of the love commandment; normative aspects of psychoanalytic practice. Part 4 Foundations of ethics in Freudian theory: toward a psychoanalytically informed ethic; how is practical reason guided? happiness and the basic goods of life; normative principles and social theory. Appendix: why take psychoanalytic findings seriously? The credibility of Freudian theory.

Additional information

GOR013765705
9780300061673
0300061676
Psychoanalysis and Ethics by Ernest Wallwork
Used - Like New
Paperback
Yale University Press
1994-09-28
357
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
The book has been read, but looks new. The book cover has no visible wear, and the dust jacket is included if applicable. No missing or damaged pages, no tears, possible very minimal creasing, no underlining or highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins

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