Human Nature, Marxism and Psychoanalysis: Freudian Metapsychology and Symptomatic Readings

13 Pages Posted: 11 Jun 2015

Date Written: June 11, 2015

Abstract

This essay provides an alternative understanding of Karl Marx’s concept of man by using the psychoanalytic interpretation of Sigmund Freud. The symptomatic reading of the text discloses what is ignored, omitted, unexplained, intended and over-projected or repeated. Marx’s conception of man comprehends the phenomenon of alienation, and throws light on the relationship between human rationality and instinctual substratum. Freud maintains that repression is carried throughout life and human beings are hardly compatible with any kind of system. Marx conceived that the subjectivity is structured out of the dialectical relations of production in which it experiences alienation and it has no spontaneity to externalize in the exploitative mode of production. Marx held that the nature of subjectivity needs an objective situation, that is, a communist society in order to transcend the dichotomy of subjectivity and objectivity. The dialectical method common to both Marx and Freud in terms of contradiction and social relations provides a conscious search for hidden meanings. Freudian psychoanalysis conceives certain limits to social and political change and often emphasizes on finding mediation.

Keywords: Alienation, Marxism, Psychoanalysis, Symptomatic reading

Suggested Citation

Chandran, Subramaniam, Human Nature, Marxism and Psychoanalysis: Freudian Metapsychology and Symptomatic Readings (June 11, 2015). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2617068 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2617068

Subramaniam Chandran (Contact Author)

Vinayaka Missions University (VMU) ( email )

Salem
India

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