Psychoanalysis in a New Light

'An invaluable study of Husserl's phenomenology and Freud's psychoanalysis in relation to modern neuroscience. Karlsson's engaging writing and crystal-clear style make this an extremely worthwhile book.' Juliet Flower MacCannell, University of California, Irvine

'I do not know of any other books that approach the problem of the unconscious from a phenomenological epistemological perspective. This book fills an intellectual gap, is highly original and very persuasive.' Jo Nash, University of Sheffield

'What [Karlsson] does across eight short chapters is to define and trace phenomenological philosophy's approach to understanding the human and then apply that understanding to psychoanalysis, using both Freud's writings and other analysts' interpretations of Freud's work. In the end, [he] both clarifies and complicates psychoanalysis, offering up an interpretation that somehow manages to be true to Freud's ideas while also offering a new view on an old subject.' PsycCRITIQUES

'Karlsson's book redefines the significance and purpose of psychoanalysis from a phenomenological perspective that conceives of psychoanalysis as a science (searching for truth) and 'not merely as a method of treatment' ... This project is clearly executed with helpful chapter summaries along the way. Overall, it casts a powerful phenomenological searchlight upon the couch, levering the intelligibility of psychoanalytic theory off from dependence on its own empirical moment ...' Sara Beardsworth, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

Gunnar Karlsson is Professor in the Department of Education at Stockholm University. He is also a private practising psychoanalyst.

Preface; 1. Phenomenology and psychoanalysis; 2. The life-world as the ground for sciences; 3. A critical examination of neuropsychoanalysis; 4. The conceptualization of the psychical in psychoanalysis; 5. The libido as the core of the unconscious; 6. The grounding of libido in the life-world experience; 7. Beyond the pleasure principle: the affirmation of existence; 8. The question of truth claims in psychoanalysis; Concluding remarks.