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Fairbairn, who has already made various proposals to change psychoanalytic theory in a previous paper,1 undertakes in this paper no less than the construction of a new and supposedly better theory of the structure of the mental apparatus, including as by-products new theories of the dream and of the neuroses.
His argument is exclusively theoretical, the only clinical example being a dream which is interpreted in a way so different from Freud's method that it cannot be convincing to an analyst. Fairbairn's theoretical argument is not easy to follow, not only because his terminology is somewhat different from the usual psychoanalytic vocabulary, but also because differences arise at the starting point which make all ensuing conclusions doubtful. Reforms of theory seem necessary to Fairbairn, especially because of 'the illuminating conception of internalized objects, which has been so fruitfully developed by Melanie Klein'. He thinks, Freud's concepts need revising on two points. First, Freud 'adhered theoretically to the principle that libido is primarily pleasure-seeking, i.e., that it is directionless. By contrast, I adhere to the principle that libido is primarily object-seeking, i.e., that it has direction… In the second place, Freud regards impulse (i.e., psychical energy) as theoretically distinct from structure, whereas I do not accept this distinction as valid, and adhere to the principle of dynamic structure.' Both assertions regarding Freud are not entirely correct. Libido is not 'primarily pleasure seeking', but rather primarily discharge seeking, and there are physiological reasons for the discharge being felt as pleasurable. True, it is not primarily object-seeking, since the concept of objects comes into being with the understanding that something is needed through which discharge can be achieved. As to the second point, 'impulse' and 'structure' have always been considered inseparable and striving for discharge, presupposes the idea of directio