Psychoanalysis and Ethics

Ernest Wallwork

Published by Yale University Press 1991

Psychoanalysis and Ethics

Ernest Wallwork

https://doi.org/10.12987/9780300159691

Overview
Contents

About this book

Psychoanalysis has had a profound impact on popular morals, for Freud’s 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 Freud’s 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, Freud’s 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 Freud’s seminal understanding of the self-in-conflict, Wallwork finds and ethical theory suggested by Freud’s 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.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Preface Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	xi
Abbreviations Publicly Available Download PDF	xiii
Chapter 1 Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
PART I Foundational Issues
Chapter 2 The Hermeneutical Problem of Reading Freud Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	17
Chapter 3 The Determinism-Free Will Problem Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	49
Chapter 4 Reconciling the Paradox: Psychic Determinism and Moral Responsibility Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	75
PART II Psychological Egoism
Chapter 5 Overview of Psychological Egoism Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	101
Chapter 6 The Pleasure Principle and Psychological Hedonism Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	108
Chapter 7 Narcissism Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	137
Chapter 8 Object Love Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	160
PART III Normative Implications
Chapter 9 On Modifying Normative Standards: The Case of the Love Commandment Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	191
Chapter 10 Normative Aspects of Psychoanalytic Practice Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	208
PART IV Foundations of Ethics in Freudian Theory
Chapter 11 Toward a Psychanalytically Informed Ethic Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	219
Chapter 12 How Is Practical Reason Guided? Happiness and the Basic Goods of Life Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	244
Chapter 13 Normative Principles and Social Theory Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	260
Chapter 14 Conclusion Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	288
Appendix A: Why Take Psychoanalytic Findings Seriously? The Credibility of Freudian Theory Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	293
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	299
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	327

Language: English
Publisher: Yale University Press

eBook

Published: June 7, 2022
ISBN: 9780300159691