Seduction, drive and repetition : Freud's metaphysics of trauma / Herman Westerink and Philippe van Haute.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Westerink, Herman, 1968- author.

Haute, Philippe van, 1957- author.

Series:

Figures of the unconscious ; 23.

Figures of the unconscious ; 23

Language:

Dutch

English

Subjects (All):

Psychic trauma.

Freud, Sigmund, 1856-1939.

Freud, Sigmund.

Physical Description:

1 online resource.

Place of Publication:

Leuven, Belgium : Leuven University Press, [2025]

Summary:

"This book makes the compelling argument that the key to understanding Freud’s clinical writings and psychoanalytical theories lies in his trauma theory. The authors argue that Freud never truly abandoned his initial trauma theory – the seduction theory – in favour of the Oedipus complex and the primacy of fantasy. Instead, Freud progressively enriched his understanding of trauma, expanding his theory to include references to the evolution of human beings and organic life. Trauma runs as a red thread throughout Freud’s oeuvre. It occupies a central position in both his clinical case studies and his meta-psychological speculations. Freud ultimately develops a metaphysics of trauma and a tragic view of human existence – a worldview that continues to resonate within contemporary philosophy and psychoanalysis."-- From JSTOR.

Contents:

The psychologization of trauma and the origination of seduction theory

Seduction and hysterical disposition: Dora

Trauma, aggression and father complex: the Rat Man

Seduction, primal scene and constitution: the Wolf Man

Constitution, phylogeny and evolutionary biology

Traumatic neurosis, compulsion to repeat and drive theory: beyond the pleasure principle

Trauma and character: the man Moses

Freud’s metaphysics of trauma.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from digital title page (JSTOR, viewed on May 14, 2026).

Other Format:

Print version: Westerink, Herman, 1968- Seduction, drive and repetition.

ISBN:

9789461666888

9461666888

OCLC:

1526850841

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license