Psychoanalysis.  2022 Apr;33(2):36-43. 10.18529/psychoanal.2022.33.2.36.

Trap of Hermeneutics

• Lee CH

• KMID: 2528453
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18529/psychoanal.2022.33.2.36

Abstract

Since Freud founded psychoanalysis, it has been evolved ceaselessly to maintain the position as a valid theory and an effective treatment method. Here is a philosophical discipline that has influenced the development of psychoanalysis; this is contemporary hermeneutics. Hermeneutics is a major step in the philosophical field, about reaching the truth of humans and our world. Hermeneuticists argue that natural science is inadequate as a methodology to understand the truth, and they developed the hermeneutic concept for new methodology, i.e., to participate in the dialogue and understand the interaction between the dyad. Under the hermeneutic influence, the focus of psychoanalytic practice has been moved into understanding the meaning created in the relationship from the objective observation and interpretation of repressed unconscious contents. Inspired by hermeneutics, psychoanalysis turned over a modern methodology and theory in terms of investigation for the human psyche and expanded its realm to the whole human society and culture. However, some analysts and philosophers point out the danger that followed with merging psychoanalytic practice with hermeneutic concepts excessively. They are concerned that the status of psychoanalysis as a science would be damaged by the attitude that devalues the metapsychological theory and objective observation as a methodology of psychoanalysis. The author agrees that the concept of natural science and hermeneutic discipline should integrate dialectically to be more valid and more effective theory and methodology. However, at the same time, the author argues that in the contemporary trend of psychoanalysis, analysts weigh the excessive value on the creation of new narratives and new meaning, and they have the possibility of danger that they would lose the essential tool to address the resistance of patient and therapist’s unconscious. This paper’s focus is that we must not forget the nature and the goal of psychoanalysis that the repressed state of the patient should be explored using objective observation through overcoming patient’s and therapist’s resistance against it, to devote the human society as a valuable tool for investigating and treating human psychic phenomena.

Keyword

Psychoanalysis; Hermeneutics; Freud; Resistance; Defence