To begin with the discussion J.S. wonders whether it is possible to discuss Sylvie Faure-Pragier's work from within a psychoanalytical model based on epistemological assumptions that are different from the author's. From his object relations model JS establishes a dialogue with SFP's ideas and tries to see to what extent a common ground can be found.

He suggests that Sylvie FP should provide some further explanations regarding her “sterile” or “infertile” patients in general terms: what type of “sterility” does she mean? Does she mean a psychogenic or organic sterility of indeterminate origin? Does she mean mental sterility in a symbolic sense? Might she simply be referring to the mental state that some patients present who, at the time of consulting the specialist, are experiencing some difficulty in fulfilling their desire to become pregnant, and have not yet been able to have children?