The Present-Day Forms of Discontent in Culture - François Richard (2011) - Is the current discontent in our culture an extension of the Freudian concept of the superego or is it stemming from somewhere else?

Extract

[...] In conclusion, François Richard's article offers a comprehensive exploration of the present-day forms of discontent in culture. By drawing on Freud's foundational concepts, Richard provides a thought-provoking analysis of the complexities within contemporary society. The examples highlighted in the text serve to elucidate specific dynamics, offering valuable insights into the intricacies of cultural discontent in the modern era. This article prompts a re-evaluation of ethics, individual identity, and the interplay between civilization and human nature in today's ever-evolving cultural landscape. [...]

[...] Richard draws on Freud's 1929 idea of "discontent in civilization," highlighting the intricate interplay of emotions, guilt, ambivalence, and the struggle for individual identity. He underscores the challenges faced by psychoanalysts in dealing with cultural discontent in their clinical practice, which stems from deficiencies in mutual recognition and social bonding. The text also touches on the interplay between individual and social psychology, emphasizing the influence of identification, anaclisis, and inter-psychical conflict. (Anaclisis is the early emotional attachment and investment of a child in their primary caregivers, which lays the foundation for their future emotional development and relationships. [...]

[...] Richard also introduces the concept of subjective disengagement as a crucial factor in understanding modern dissatisfaction. This notion goes beyond Freud's framework, emphasizing the disconnection of the individual from their own subjectivity. In contrast, Freud's concept of "actual neurosis" primarily focused on the conflict between unconscious desires and conscious reality. Additionally, Richard highlights the shifting dynamics within the collective cultural Superego. He suggests that a tyrannical Ideal ego is emerging as a dominant force, potentially replacing the structuring influence of the superego. [...]

[...] The Present-Day Forms of Discontent in Culture - François Richard (2011) - Is the current discontent in our culture an extension of the Freudian concept of the superego or is it stemming from somewhere else? This article, published in the journal of psychoanalytical studies in 2011 by François Richard, sets out to analyse the current forms of discontent in culture from the point of view of psychoanalysis, specifically through the lenses of Sigmund Freud. The question at the heart of the article is the following: is the current discontent in our culture an extension of the Freudian concept of the superego or is it stemming from somewhere else? [...]

[...] Richard contends that a tyrannical Ideal ego is replacing the structuring superego, resulting in a struggle to organize excitation into drive. This arises from a lack of subject structuring through prohibitions and limits, as well as the absence of a reliable and ascertainable object. This example highlights the shifting dynamics within contemporary cultural discontent, emphasizing the need for a refined theoretical framework. Furthermore, the article addresses disturbances in sexuality as a crucial aspect of the current cultural discontent. It explores how modern individuals navigate their relationships, grappling with issues of desire, satisfaction, and intimacy. [...]