Among the different psychoanalytic schools, several can be considered as part of the "end of metaphysics" trend, particularly those that emphasize relational, intersubjective, and constructivist approaches. These schools move away from traditional metaphysical assumptions about fixed and intrinsic structures of the mind, focusing instead on dynamic, contextual, and relational aspects of human experience. Key schools that align with this trend include:
1. **Relational Psychoanalysis**:
- Relational psychoanalysis, which emerged in the 1980s and 1990s, emphasizes the importance of relationships and interactions between individuals rather than viewing the psyche as a closed system. Influenced by thinkers such as Stephen Mitchell and Jessica Benjamin, this approach focuses on the co-construction of meaning and the therapeutic relationship as a dynamic, intersubjective process. This school rejects essentialist notions of the self in favor of understanding identity as fluid and relationally constructed.
2. **Intersubjective Psychoanalysis**:
- Intersubjective psychoanalysis, associated with theorists like Robert Stolorow and George Atwood, posits that psychological phenomena arise within a relational context. It challenges the classical model of an isolated, autonomous mind and instead views mental life as fundamentally intersubjective. This approach aligns with the "end of metaphysics" by rejecting static, universal structures of the mind in favor of a more contextual and relational understanding.
3. **Constructivist and Postmodern Psychoanalysis**:
- Constructivist and postmodern approaches in psychoanalysis, influenced by thinkers like Kenneth Gergen and Donna Orange, argue that psychological reality is constructed through social and linguistic interactions. These perspectives challenge the idea of an objective, metaphysical truth about the psyche, emphasizing the role of language, culture, and social interaction in shaping mental life. This aligns with the broader postmodern critique of grand narratives and essentialist metaphysical claims.
4. **Lacanian Psychoanalysis**:
- Jacques Lacan’s psychoanalytic theory, with its focus on language, the symbolic order, and the construction of the subject, can also be seen as part of the "end of metaphysics" trend. Lacan challenges the Cartesian notion of a coherent, self-knowing subject, emphasizing instead the fragmented nature of the self and the central role of language and the unconscious in shaping subjectivity. His work deconstructs traditional metaphysical notions of identity and consciousness.
5. **Existential Psychoanalysis**:
- Existential psychoanalysis, influenced by existential philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Martin Heidegger, focuses on human existence, freedom, and the meaning-making process. This approach emphasizes the situated, dynamic nature of human life and the ongoing construction of meaning, rejecting fixed metaphysical essences. It aligns with the existential critique of traditional metaphysics and the emphasis on lived experience.
These psychoanalytic schools collectively contribute to the "end of metaphysics" trend by shifting the focus from fixed, intrinsic structures of the mind to more fluid, relational, and constructed understandings of human psychology. They emphasize the importance of context, interaction, and the co-construction of meaning, challenging traditional metaphysical assumptions about the nature of the self and mental life.
