Theory II: Drive Theory and the Dynamic Unconscious

Winter 2005-06

Barry Opatow, M.D.
212-662-6646
opatow@nyc.rr.com

Donald Moss, M.D.
212-206-0344
Donaldmoss@mindspring.com

For the first meeting of Theory II on November 19, please read:

Freud, S. The Interpretation of Dreams. Chapter 7, Introduction & Section (A), “The Forgetting of Dreams” (S.E. 5: 509-532).

In preparation for reading Chapter 7, please acquire some familiarity with the terminology and basic elements of Freud's conception of dream structure. This can be done by perusing the essay, "On Dreams" (Freud’s accessible synopsis of Chapters 1-6 of Int. of D. in S.E. 5: 631-86), as well as by reviewing pertinent entries in The Language of Psycho-Analysis – in particular: Dream-Work, Displacement, Condensation, Representability, Latent Content, Manifest Content, Interpretation.

Please obtain the following book (readily available at New York Psychoanalytic Institute Bookstore, Barnes & Noble, etc.):

Laplanche, J. & J.B. Pontalis, The Language of Psycho-Analysis. New York: Norton, 1973.

This first course in theory deals for the most part with the revolutionary conception with which Freud founded psychoanalysis -- the theories of the instinctual drive and the dynamic unconscious. We will read foundational texts of drive theory and the theory of the mind. We will use this inquiry also to explore what theorizing is in psychoanalysis.

The drive is the mainspring of wishing, it is the mind's active principle, the subversive, sexual constituent of the unconscious. This comprises the radical core of psychoanalysis, an inner nucleus supplemented, but never surpassed, by all subsequent theory.

Readings

Weeks #1-5: Freud, S. (1900) The Interpretation of Dreams. Chapter 7.
"The Psychology of the Dream Processes". S.E. 5: 509-621.

Week #6: Freud, S. (1905) Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality. S.E. 7. Chapter 1: The Sexual Aberrations, pp. 135- 172.

Week #7: Freud, S. (1905) Three Essays, Chapter 2: Infantile Sexuality, pp.173-206.

Week #8: Freud, S. (1905) Three Essays, Chapters 3-4: Transformations of Puberty; Summary, pp. 207-243.

Weeks #9-10: Freud, S. (1895) Project for a Scientific Psychology. S.E. 1: 294-297; 317-327.

Freud, S. (1911) Formulations on the two principles of Mental Functioning.
S.E. 12: 213- 227.

Weeks #11-12: Freud, S. (1915) “Instincts and their Vicissitudes,” S.E. 14: 117-140.