Gila Ashtor – författare

Winner, Alan Bray Memorial Book Award2022 Lammy Finalist, LGBTQ StudiesCan queer theory be erotophobic? This book proceeds from the perplexing observation that for all of its political agita, rhetorical virtuosity, and intellectual restlessness, queer theory conforms to a model of erotic life that is psychologically conservative and narrow. Even after several decades of combative, dazzling, irreverent queer critical thought, the field remains far from grasping that sexuality's radical potential lies in its being understood as "exogenous, intersubjective and intrusive" (Laplanche). In particular, and despite the pervasiveness and popularity of recent calls to deconstruct the ideological foundations of contemporary queer thought, no study has as yet considered or in any way investigated the singular role of psychology in shaping the field's conceptual impasses and politico-ethical limitations.Through close readings of key thinkers in queer theoretical thought—Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, Leo Bersani, Lee Edelman, Judith Butler, Lauren Berlant, and Jane Gallop—Homo Psyche introduces metapsychology as a new dimension of analysis vis-à-vis the theories of French psychoanalyst Jean Laplanche, who insisted on "new foundations for psychoanalysis" that radically departed from existing Freudian and Lacanian models of the mind. Staging this intervention, Ashtor deepens current debates about the future of queer studies by demonstrating how the field's systematic neglect of metapsychology as a necessary and independent realm of ideology ultimately enforces the complicity of queer studies with psychological conventions that are fundamentally erotophobic and therefore inimical to queer theory's radical and ethical project.

Winner, Alan Bray Memorial Book Award2022 Lammy Finalist, LGBTQ StudiesCan queer theory be erotophobic? This book proceeds from the perplexing observation that for all of its political agita, rhetorical virtuosity, and intellectual restlessness, queer theory conforms to a model of erotic life that is psychologically conservative and narrow. Even after several decades of combative, dazzling, irreverent queer critical thought, the field remains far from grasping that sexuality's radical potential lies in its being understood as "exogenous, intersubjective and intrusive" (Laplanche). In particular, and despite the pervasiveness and popularity of recent calls to deconstruct the ideological foundations of contemporary queer thought, no study has as yet considered or in any way investigated the singular role of psychology in shaping the field's conceptual impasses and politico-ethical limitations.Through close readings of key thinkers in queer theoretical thought—Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, Leo Bersani, Lee Edelman, Judith Butler, Lauren Berlant, and Jane Gallop—Homo Psyche introduces metapsychology as a new dimension of analysis vis-à-vis the theories of French psychoanalyst Jean Laplanche, who insisted on "new foundations for psychoanalysis" that radically departed from existing Freudian and Lacanian models of the mind. Staging this intervention, Ashtor deepens current debates about the future of queer studies by demonstrating how the field's systematic neglect of metapsychology as a necessary and independent realm of ideology ultimately enforces the complicity of queer studies with psychological conventions that are fundamentally erotophobic and therefore inimical to queer theory's radical and ethical project.

Exigent Psychoanalysis: The Interventions of Jean Laplanche offers a bold exploration of the contemporary psychoanalytic field by focusing on key issues through the lens of one of this century's most exacting and invigorating psychoanalytic theorists. Deliberately taking an integrative approach that spans a vast range of psychoanalytic ideas - with particular focus on the enduring tension between Freudian and Relational paradigms - Ashtor shows how a rigorous close reading of Laplanche’s work can disrupt stale binaries and forge new possibilities for revolutionizing the foundations of psychoanalysis. Organized as pointed interventions on such topics as metapsychology, motivation, the unconscious and psychic structure, Ashtor integrates cutting edge research on Affect theory and sexuality to demonstrate the potential for fieldwide innovation. Of interest to established and emerging clinicians alike and aimed at addressing a broad spectrum of theoretical positions, Exigent Psychoanalysis offers the first extensive clinical and theoretical study of Laplanche’s work, thus facilitating a timely and cutting-edge intervention in contemporary psychoanalytic debates.

Exigent Psychoanalysis: The Interventions of Jean Laplanche offers a bold exploration of the contemporary psychoanalytic field by focusing on key issues through the lens of one of this century's most exacting and invigorating psychoanalytic theorists. Deliberately taking an integrative approach that spans a vast range of psychoanalytic ideas - with particular focus on the enduring tension between Freudian and Relational paradigms - Ashtor shows how a rigorous close reading of Laplanche’s work can disrupt stale binaries and forge new possibilities for revolutionizing the foundations of psychoanalysis. Organized as pointed interventions on such topics as metapsychology, motivation, the unconscious and psychic structure, Ashtor integrates cutting edge research on Affect theory and sexuality to demonstrate the potential for fieldwide innovation. Of interest to established and emerging clinicians alike and aimed at addressing a broad spectrum of theoretical positions, Exigent Psychoanalysis offers the first extensive clinical and theoretical study of Laplanche’s work, thus facilitating a timely and cutting-edge intervention in contemporary psychoanalytic debates.

Gaslighting. Imposter syndrome. Toxic relationships. We know these phases and what they feel like, but the world of psychology hasn’t taken them seriously – until now. In Call Me Crazy, psychoanalyst and Columbia University professor Dr Gila Ashtor offers the first major exploration of these hot topic emotional issues - plus empty consent, crazy girlfriend and autopilot – modern anxieties she calls ‘feeling disorders’.Much like eating disorders, these interconnected issues disproportionately affect women and stem from an often-hidden truth—that our feelings can, and do, lie to us. Blending neurobiology with powerful storytelling, each issue is explored through the lens of Dr. Ashtor’s work with a particular patient, with the author providing a clear pathway to recognize, tackle and heal from it.Destined to do for our emotions what Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score did for trauma, Call Me Crazy provides the vital language we’ve been missing to finally make sense of our feelings, and is a smart, actionable roadmap to breaking free from toxic cycles.

Gaslighting. Imposter syndrome. Toxic relationships. We know these phases and what they feel like, but the world of psychology hasn’t taken them seriously – until now. In Call Me Crazy, psychoanalyst and Columbia University professor Dr Gila Ashtor offers the first major exploration of these hot topic emotional issues - plus empty consent, crazy girlfriend and autopilot – modern anxieties she calls ‘feeling disorders’.Much like eating disorders, these interconnected issues disproportionately affect women and stem from an often-hidden truth—that our feelings can, and do, lie to us. Blending neurobiology with powerful storytelling, each issue is explored through the lens of Dr. Ashtor’s work with a particular patient, with the author providing a clear pathway to recognize, tackle and heal from it.Destined to do for our emotions what Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score did for trauma, Call Me Crazy provides the vital language we’ve been missing to finally make sense of our feelings, and is a smart, actionable roadmap to breaking free from toxic cycles.