Reflections on Contemporary Psychoanalytic Thought

A cutting-edge collection of psychoanalytic ideas edited by Rui Aragao Oliveira, Maria Jose Goncalves, and Joao Diniz, with contributions from David Bell, Franco Borgogno, Luis J. Martin Cabre, R. D. Hinshelwood, Howard B. Levine, Andrea Marzi, Sergio Eduardo Nick, Leopold Nosek, Fernando Orduz, Eric Smadja, and Virginia Ungar.

Over the past decade, the Portuguese Psychoanalytical Society took the opportunity to restructure and redefine their organisation. As part of this process, they invited outstanding psychoanalysts from all over the world to present their thoughts, reflections, and clinical investigations. These conferences, workshops, and working groups helped shape the modern society, bringing in vibrant new ideas. The Lisbon Lectures showcases the best of these significant contributions with chapters from David Bell, Franco Borgogno, Luis J. Martin Cabre, R. D. Hinshelwood, Howard B. Levine, Andrea Marzi, Sergio Eduardo Nick, Leopold Nosek, Fernando Orduz, Eric Smadja, and Virginia Ungar. Each chapter begins with an introduction from one of the editors, Rui Aragao Oliveira, Maria Jose Goncalves, and Joao Diniz, which contextualises their impact at the time, the transformations they brought about, and their continuing relevance to the psychoanalytic community. Grouped into two stimulating sections – Psychoanalysis and contemporaneity and Theory of psychoanalytic technique – the book is an absolute must-read for all psychoanalysts and will be of interest to other mental health professionals, students, and anyone interested in engaging with contemporary psychoanalytic concepts.

Acknowledgements About the editors and contributors Introduction Part I Psychoanalysis and contemporaneity Introduction by Maria Jose Goncalves 1. The institutional dynamics of psychoanalysis: the effect of the "development threatening idea" R. D. Hinshelwood Introduction by Maria Jose Goncalves 2. Freud and culture Eric Smadja Introduction by Joao Seabra Diniz 3. The disappeared: a sorrow without dreams Leopold Nosek Introduction by Rui Aragao Oliveira 4. Virtual space, identity, and psychoanalysis: a new world or a dreadful voyage? Andrea Marzi Introduction by Joao Seabra Diniz 5. Contemporary hysterical body Fernando Orduz Introduction by Rui Aragao Oliveira 6. Connecting the International Psychoanalytical Association to our psychoanalytical community Sergio Eduardo Nick Introduction by Joao Seabra Diniz 7. From the glass slipper to the glass ceiling Virginia Ungar Part II Theory of psychoanalytic technique Introduction by Rui Aragao Oliveira 8. Towards a two-track model for psychoanalysis Howard B. Levine Introduction by Joao Seabra Diniz 9. Who is killing what or whom: some notes on the internal phenomenology of suicide David Bell Introduction by Rui Aragao Oliveira 10. Achieving the elasticity of technique: Sandor Ferenczi's psychoanalytic project and journey Franco Borgogno Introduction by Maria Jose Goncalves 11. Ferenzci's ideas in contemporary psychoanalysis: Ferenczi's contribution to the psychoanalytic theory of trauma and further developments Luis J. Martin Cabre Final thoughts Index,

Acknowledgements
About the editors and contributors
Introduction

Part I
Psychoanalysis and contemporaneity

Introduction by Maria José Gonçalves
1. The institutional dynamics of psychoanalysis: the effect of the “development threatening idea”
R. D. Hinshelwood

Introduction by Maria José Gonçalves
2. Freud and culture
Éric Smadja

Introduction by João Seabra Diniz
3. The disappeared: a sorrow without dreams
Leopold Nosek

Introduction by Rui Aragão Oliveira
4. Virtual space, identity, and psychoanalysis: a new world or a dreadful voyage?
Andrea Marzi

Introduction by João Seabra Diniz
5. Contemporary hysterical body
Fernando Orduz

Introduction by Rui Aragão Oliveira
6. Connecting the International Psychoanalytical Association to our psychoanalytical community
Sérgio Eduardo Nick

Introduction by João Seabra Diniz
7. From the glass slipper to the glass ceiling
Virginia Ungar

Part II
Theory of psychoanalytic technique

Introduction by Rui Aragão Oliveira
8. Towards a two-track model for psychoanalysis
Howard B. Levine

Introduction by João Seabra Diniz
9. Who is killing what or whom: some notes on the internal phenomenology of suicide
David Bell

Introduction by Rui Aragão Oliveira
10. Achieving the elasticity of technique: Sándor Ferenczi’s psychoanalytic project and journey
Franco Borgogno

Introduction by Maria José Gonçalves
11. Ferenzci’s ideas in contemporary psychoanalysis: Ferenczi’s contribution to the psychoanalytic theory of trauma and further developments
Luis J. Martín Cabré

Final thoughts
Index

• Edited by Rui Aragão Oliveira
• Edited by Maria José Gonçalves
• Edited by João Diniz

This collection of lectures presented to the Portuguese Psychoanalytic Society contains some of the best psychoanalytic papers of the past decade. The editors contextualize the relevance of international psychoanalytic thought to the development of their society. It is an exemplary case study of how an institution benefits from participation in global psychoanalytic exchanges.

— William Glover, President, American Psychoanalytic Association

‘This book is a refreshing reminder of the history and contemporary values of clinical psychoanalysis. congratulations to the Portuguese editors who have created a very readable collection of inspiring chapters that span a truly international heritage. The two chapters on Ferenczi's work, especially, illuminate how Lisbon analysts do not forget this much-neglected author but rather celebrate the humanity of his particular contribution to psychoanalysis. I strongly recommend this slim but mind-expanding volume and hope we see more collections of this kind from Lisbon in the future.’

— Jan Abram, training and supervising analyst (British Psychoanalytical Society), author of 'The Surviving Object: Clinical Essays on Psychic Survival-of-the-object'

‘On the shore of the ocean of the unconscious, once again Lisbon is confirmed as an ideal starting port for adventurous exploration – in this case, scientific exploration – thanks to the confluence and thoughtful contribution of masters of psychoanalysis from all parts of the world. The Lisbon lectures, organised by the Portuguese Psychoanalytical Society, have a truly wide, intercontinental cultural scope, and the reader will find some impressive essays to fascinate both professionals and laypeople interested in the developments of contemporary humanity.’

— Stefano Bolognini, past President of the Italian Psychoanalytic Society and of the International Psychoanalytical Association

‘Reflections on Contemporary Psychoanalytic Thought is an impressive book, which describes the psychoanalytic landscape of both theory and technique. It opens on a remarkable paper by R. D. Hinshelwood and includes contributions from many other eminent psychoanalysts. Each chapter is introduced by one of the editors, contextualising the way the lecture was received and the transformations it promoted in the community of Portuguese psychoanalysts.’

— Marilia Aisenstein, training and supervising analyst in the Hellenic Psychoanalytical Society and the Paris Psychoanalytical Society, and past President of the Paris Psychoanalytical Society