Before Hegel, Western philosophy took ‘ultimate reality’ to be an eternal realm existing outside time: At the beginning of the nineteenth century, Hegel brought philosophy down finally into human history and into the ever-changing flux of society.
On this course we will explore the new, social and historical vision of human life that was opened up by Hegel and the thinkers who followed him, including Marx and Nietzsche, and trace its influence in psychoanalysis. We will review attempts to synthesise Marx and Freud, and explore the use of psychoanalytic ideas to understand contemporary society, including psychoanalytic studies of the psychology of Fascism.
Finally, we will examine some recent works of cultural history which situate the emergence of psychoanalysis itself in relation to the historical and cultural changes that brought modern society into being.
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This course will take place over 2 days: 30 and 31 May 2023, from 13.30 – 17.00 each day (time includes a tea break). All attendees will also receive access to the recording.
Keith Barrett BA PhD received his first degree in philosophy from Oxford University after having spent three years working as a nursing assistant in psychiatric hospitals. It was in this practical context that Keith first encountered existentialism and psychoanalysis. He then began postgraduate studies on both Freud and Heidegger, leading finally to a PhD from the Wellcome Centre for the History of Medicine at UCL for a dissertation on ‘Freud’s Self-Analysis’. Keith has been a philosophy teacher for over 20 years, and has been delivering courses at the Freud Museum for over a decade, where he has developed a series of introductory lectures on Freud, psychoanalysis after Freud, and exploring the overlap of philosophy and psychoanalysis.
Members’ Discount
Freud Museum Members will be able to receive a 20% discount on tickets with a special Members code. Details will be circulated to all Members via email.
Bursary
A limited number of £15 bursary places will be available for those under financial hardship. Priority will be given to UK unemployed and PIP/ESA claimants. Please email tom@freud.org.uk to apply for a bursary.
