Two Symbolic Forms of Mental Capacity in Psychoanalysis

In psychoanalysis, symbols have a crucial rhetorical and pathological significance. Through discussing and exploring Freudian and Kleinian theories of symbols, the research finds that in Freud's theory, the symbol is a regressive activity of the mind, while in Klein's theory, it is a devel...

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Main Authors: Chuansong HUO, Dongcheng CHI
Format: Article
Language:zho
Published: Editorial Office of Medicine and Philosophy 2025-04-01
Series:Yixue yu zhexue
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Online Access:https://yizhe.dmu.edu.cn/article/doi/10.12014/j.issn.1002-0772.2025.08.07
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author Chuansong HUO
Dongcheng CHI
author_facet Chuansong HUO
Dongcheng CHI
author_sort Chuansong HUO
collection DOAJ
description In psychoanalysis, symbols have a crucial rhetorical and pathological significance. Through discussing and exploring Freudian and Kleinian theories of symbols, the research finds that in Freud's theory, the symbol is a regressive activity of the mind, while in Klein's theory, it is a developmental, progressive one. These discoveries prove that the symbolic capacity, as a specific mental capacity of human beings, holds two different forms. On one hand, analysands consciously use rhetorical symbols to express their emotions and the content of their experiences; on the other hand, they also unconsciously use symbols in their dreams and discourses. The distinction between these two forms of symbolization offers a unique framework for understanding both clinical practice and the workings of the human mind.
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spelling doaj-art-a9aaf06d7abf424097ff2482bb511f732025-08-20T03:17:58ZzhoEditorial Office of Medicine and PhilosophyYixue yu zhexue1002-07722025-04-01468323610.12014/j.issn.1002-0772.2025.08.078-huochuansongTwo Symbolic Forms of Mental Capacity in PsychoanalysisChuansong HUO0Dongcheng CHI1School of Humanities, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, ChinaSchool of Social Development and Public Policy, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, ChinaIn psychoanalysis, symbols have a crucial rhetorical and pathological significance. Through discussing and exploring Freudian and Kleinian theories of symbols, the research finds that in Freud's theory, the symbol is a regressive activity of the mind, while in Klein's theory, it is a developmental, progressive one. These discoveries prove that the symbolic capacity, as a specific mental capacity of human beings, holds two different forms. On one hand, analysands consciously use rhetorical symbols to express their emotions and the content of their experiences; on the other hand, they also unconsciously use symbols in their dreams and discourses. The distinction between these two forms of symbolization offers a unique framework for understanding both clinical practice and the workings of the human mind.https://yizhe.dmu.edu.cn/article/doi/10.12014/j.issn.1002-0772.2025.08.07symbolsymbol formationmental capacitypsychoanalysis
spellingShingle Chuansong HUO
Dongcheng CHI
Two Symbolic Forms of Mental Capacity in Psychoanalysis
Yixue yu zhexue
symbol
symbol formation
mental capacity
psychoanalysis
title Two Symbolic Forms of Mental Capacity in Psychoanalysis
title_full Two Symbolic Forms of Mental Capacity in Psychoanalysis
title_fullStr Two Symbolic Forms of Mental Capacity in Psychoanalysis
title_full_unstemmed Two Symbolic Forms of Mental Capacity in Psychoanalysis
title_short Two Symbolic Forms of Mental Capacity in Psychoanalysis
title_sort two symbolic forms of mental capacity in psychoanalysis
topic symbol
symbol formation
mental capacity
psychoanalysis
url https://yizhe.dmu.edu.cn/article/doi/10.12014/j.issn.1002-0772.2025.08.07
work_keys_str_mv AT chuansonghuo twosymbolicformsofmentalcapacityinpsychoanalysis
AT dongchengchi twosymbolicformsofmentalcapacityinpsychoanalysis