You do not currently have permission to view the full text for this document. Please sign in to an account with an active subscription or contact support.
This interesting book focuses on the nature of unconscious mental processes in the human mind by approaching it from the perspectives of both Freudian unconscious and cognitive neuroscience. The main message the book conveys is a criticism of the psychoanalytical assumption of the existence of unconscious mental processing. According to the author, the concept of mental unconscious cannot be valid and the term should be replaced by neural unconscious.
Talvitie thus positions himself in opposition to a basic element of the psychoanalytical theory of the dynamic functions of the mind. As a representative of a young generation of researchers in the field of the cognitive science approach to psychoanalysis, he is well informed of the problems and topical debates going on in the philosophy of science, especially in the philosophy of mind. He is also well read in the psychoanalytical theory of repression.
The text is mostly fluent and is a pleasure to read. Everyday language is used. Examples from ordinary life are given to illustrate the meaning which make following the ideas presented easy. Talvitie's mastery of the concepts he uses and his ability to work on conceptual and philosophical issues are admirable. He has no difficulty in questioning central metapsychological and philosophical views and suggesting alternative solutions by combining visions from neuroscience and cognitive research.
A number of theoretical issues in the philosophy of mind, its history and cognitive research relevant to psychoanalysis are elucidated. Talvitie's critique of psychoanalytical metapsychology puts to the test the reader's