Freud as Philosopher

by Richard Boothby

Using Jacques Lacan's work as a key, Boothby reassesses Freud's most ambitious-and misunderstood-attempt at a general theory of mental functioning: metapsychology

Genres: Psychoanalysis, Philosophy, Psychology, Nonfiction, Theory

352 pages, Paperback

First published September 21, 2001

Reviews

[Michael A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting text, and the work done here to connect phenomenology to psychoanalysis is commendable. This text is really about Lacan's "return to Freud" and what that entails. This work didn't overly compel me, but a conceptually interesting text nonetheless (though stylistically boring). I thought the editing job for this book was rather poor... a lot of typos. I'm not one to care too much about that usually, but they're frequent and jarring here.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to describe this as an introductory text to the concepts of Freud and Lacan, or as its own exposition of new ideas, probably more of the former, but it serves both purposes equally well. For the beginner like me, it was great to understand the philosophical underpinnings of Freud, gradually showing how Lacan elucidated certain controversial Freudian concepts and thus fully appreciating their impacts on subjectivity. Like Lacan once said, "I'm a Freudian, I leave it up to you to be Lacanians," this book's primary focus is showing the full depth of Freud, with Lacan chiming in. To do this, Boothby sticks to his strong background in phenomenology where Freud and Lacan-oustide of the introduction-are hardly even mentioned until about 30-40 pages in. This is what makes the book interesting and unlike any other intro text on Lacan (if that's what you want to call it), because the big Lacanian terminology (imaginary, symbolic, real) are not merely thrown around from the beginning assuming reader understanding. Rather, by the time Boothby approaches the term 'imaginary,' you've had many pages before explaining all of it's perceptual underpinnings, philosophic origins in Freud, as well as interwoven clinical examples. Definitely worth a read.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. Boothby explains key Lacanian concepts with remarkable clarity and precision, and puts Lacan into the context of phenomenology and gestalt psychology, which turns out to be a highly effective way of shedding light on some of his ideas.

A basic knowledge of Freud or a willingness to fill in the gaps by looking things up is recommended. A patient reader will find parts of the book to contain one of the best philosophical introductions to Lacan.

[Mehdi Habibzade · Rating 5 out of 5]

یکی از بهترین منابع دربارۀ اهمیت فلسفی کار فروید و رابطۀ بین روانکاوی و پدیدارشناسی

[Valentín Serrano García · Rating 5 out of 5]

I undertook reading this essay given the good taste this author left in my mouth in "Embracing the void." Without a doubt, Zizek's laudatory criticism must be endorsed without reservation.

Along with authors such as Bruce Fink or Todd McGowan, Boothby exemplifies in the Anglo-Saxon world the interpretation, illumination and clarification of the work of Freud and Lacan (both deeply misinterpreted due, precisely, to their great complexity).

Boothby reviews Freudian metapsychology in an original way, comparing it with the intuitions of William James, Henri Bergson, Nietzsche or Gestalt. Subsequently, with a simplicity typical of a deep connoisseur of psychoanalytic theory (and, specifically, the practice), he addresses Lacan's main notions, providing a new perspective for his understanding.

If you are not acquainted with Freud and Lacan, this essay won't provide all the tools needed to understand the trascendence of psychoanalytic theory (whose main aim, mind you, is praxis). But it is useful as an introduction, anyway. And if you are into Lacanianism, be warned: it doesn't add, but the way Boothby weaves the discourse is enriching.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entry into the psychoanalytic project - with Freud as intrepid pioneer and Lacan as consummate cartographer - par excellence. I can’t imagine a better place to start; the foundational thoughts are laid firmly in their philosophical ground, are persistently reinforced throughout every section in order to contextualize new developments within the text, and culminate in compelling insights of the author’s own - as a beginner, I can see myself coming back to this a lot in future as a kind of lodestone against which to tune the direction of my learnings.

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a neat presentation but it doesn’t add anything flamboyantly new

[Kelly Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book since it was written by my Professor at Loyola. :)

He taught a course on philosophy and psychoanalysis and had an interesting take on the Freud Man. This different take is evident in his book.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I disagree with the reading of Freud that Boothby gives us, it is by far the best presentation of the Lacanian reading of Freud. If taken not as an introduction to Freud (as one would expect) but as an introduction to Lacan, it is a truly great book.