Considerations on the Self and on Unconscious Guilt (Death Instincts and the Right to Life)

The conceptualization of archaeological and narrative models sums up one specific aspect of the evolution of psychoanalytical thought, brought to light, from Freud onwards, by the formulation of theoretical models and their follow up on the technical side through work with patients. Freud reflected on these two conceptions in “Constructions in Analysis” (1937). The former is based on bringing unconscious material to consciousness by means of free association and dreams, while the latter is based on the transformational working through of mental states by work centring on transference and counter transference. This has led to the creation of a different interpretative key to the psychoanalytical models developed in the course of time. Notwithstanding profound conceptual differences, which at certain stages in the history of psychoanalysis have taken on the characteristics of contrasting ideological standpoints, it seems clear that the problem lies in the analyst's ability to experience within himself emotional vicissitudes, as well as the countless ways in which thoughts, representations, verbal, preverbal and non-verbal communications are structured.