Seduction, Drive and Repetition

A reinterpretation of Freud's trauma theory

This book makes the compelling argument that the key to understanding Freud's clinical writings and psychoanalytical theories lies in his trauma theory. The authors argue that Freud never truly abandoned his initial trauma theory - the seduction theory - in favour of the Oedipus complex and the primacy of fantasy. Instead, Freud progressively enriched his understanding of trauma, expanding his theory to include references to the evolution of human beings and organic life. Trauma runs as a red thread throughout Freud's oeuvre. It occupies a central position in both his clinical case studies and his meta-psychological speculations. Freud ultimately develops a metaphysics of trauma and a tragic view of human existence - a worldview that continues to resonate within contemporary philosophy and psychoanalysis.

This book will be made open access within three years of publication thanks to Path to Open, a program developed in partnership between JSTOR, the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), University of Michigan Press, and The University of North Carolina Press to bring about equitable access and impact for the entire scholarly community, including authors, researchers, libraries, and university presses around the world. Learn more at https://about.jstor.org/path-to-open/