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Freud for the Twenty-First Century

The Science of Everyday Life

Authors:

  • Demonstrates the particular relevance of Freud’s reality principle for key aspects of 21st century life
  • Examines how our definition of reason shapes both daily existence and our social institutions and practices
  • Argues that that Freud’s work can help us on a daily basis because it is centered on applying scientific principles to everyday living

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-v
  2. Science and the Reality Principle

    • Robert Samuels
    Pages 5-16
  3. The Pleasure Principle and the Death Drive

    • Robert Samuels
    Pages 17-25
  4. The Unconscious and the Primary Processes

    • Robert Samuels
    Pages 27-42
  5. Transference and Narcissism

    • Robert Samuels
    Pages 43-51
  6. Conclusion: Progress and Its Discontents

    • Robert Samuels
    Pages 69-78
  7. Back Matter

    Pages 79-82

About this book

This book places Freud’s theory of the reality principle in relation to both everyday experience and global issues of the 21st century and illustrates how it may be practically applied. Arguing against more critical recent accounts of Freud’s science, the author seeks to show how one might apply the scientific method to everyday life. It demonstrates how Freud contributes to a better understanding of reason and how this in turn can be used to unravel the role of unreason in both politics and personal relationships. 

Including critical examinations of topics such as Narcissism, Victimhood and Empathy, this engaging reappraisal of Freud’s relevance to contemporary life offers fresh insights for psychology, psychoanalysis and cultural theory; as well as practical guidance for a general reader.


Authors and Affiliations

  • University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, USA

    Robert Samuels

About the author

Robert Samuels is Lecturer in advanced writing at the University of California, Santa Barbara, USA. He holds doctorates in Psychoanalysis and English. He is the author of 11 books, including Psychoanalyzing the Politics of the New Brain Sciences (2017).

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access