Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of figures
- Preface
- Introduction
- Part One Exegesis and Extraction
- Part Two Consolidation and Defence
- 7 The problem of the ‘system unconscious’
- 8 The problem of language
- 9 Ernest Jones's contribution
- 10 The ‘Freudian Broad’ (FB) theory of symbolism
- 11 Symbolism: logical constraints and psychological requirements
- Epilogue
- List of references
- Index
8 - The problem of language
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 October 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of figures
- Preface
- Introduction
- Part One Exegesis and Extraction
- Part Two Consolidation and Defence
- 7 The problem of the ‘system unconscious’
- 8 The problem of language
- 9 Ernest Jones's contribution
- 10 The ‘Freudian Broad’ (FB) theory of symbolism
- 11 Symbolism: logical constraints and psychological requirements
- Epilogue
- List of references
- Index
Summary
The second of the two propositions to be rejected is that symbolism is a language whose universality is confirmed by linguistic evidence. Variants of this proposition occur often enough in Freud's material for the assertion to be perceived as central to his theory of symbolism, and for it to have had considerable influence on later developments. The proposition also intersects with the concept of the ‘system unconscious’; Freud typically presents symbolism as an essential part of the ‘language of the unconscious’ – an inherited, archaic, primitive, regressive mode of expression, a ‘primary process’ phenomenon. The constancy of the symbolic relation can be traced back (he tells us) to an original identity between word and thing, and symbolic connections are therefore ‘residues’ of a ‘basic language’ (Freud 1916/17, p. 166). Of course, if the notion of the unconscious as a separate system is untenable, this (FN) version of the connection between symbolism and language must be rejected. But the proposition is not so easily dismissed. Freud's treatment of the theme of language has ramifications and implications which seriously jeopardise his account of symbolism. The problems must therefore be addressed before the way can be cleared for presenting the theoretically sound FB theory.
The role of language has, admittedly, received more attention than has the notion of the ‘system unconscious’.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Freud, Psychoanalysis and Symbolism , pp. 178 - 197Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1999