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The early work of Roy Schafer may be viewed as an attempt to systematize psychoanalytic metapsychology (Aspects of Internalization, 1968). When reading it, we get the feeling that the economic and drive theories are problematic to him. Although a much broader, nascent theoretical dissatisfaction is evident, he contents himself with the "modest proposal" that the concept of cathexis of representations be dropped and replaced by the concept of cathexis of motives (aims), with their attendant relevant ideas or information. Nevertheless, he also concludes that "psychoanalysis, being a dynamic psychology, requires a concept of psychic energy"1 and suggests that the term to be used only in the quantitative sense. He appears to tidy up the metapsychological house by shifting the "dust" from one area to another.
Schafer's latest work, The Analytic Attitude, follows A New Language for Psychoanalysis and Language and Insight. He acknowledges that he has made a clear departure from the work of David Rapaport, his principal teacher during the early years of his professional career. Rapaport often referred to his own work as "thinking about thinking" about metapsychology (p. xi).2
If Schafer's prior work is viewed as tidying up, this ground-breaking effort can be viewed as urban renewal. Material previously published in various journals has been combined with new material and organized to form an integrated whole. Schafer's tone is cultured. His theoretical outlook is broad, forward looking, and optimistic, rather than parochial and rooted in the old traditions of a conservative craft or guild. He presents a union of style, outlook, and theoretical position. There are many references to literature and literary critics, history and historians, modern