Psychoanalysis and critical thinking

The aim of this short series of seminars is to examine relationships between psychoanalysis and 'critical' thinking, whether or not formalised as critical theory. I will explore how psychoanalysis might retrieve its radical possibilities in the current political context. Using the notion of the 'psychosocial' as one bridge across different elements of critical thought - and unpicking this notion - I will argue that psychoanalysis maintains a strong allegiance to criticality even though it also demonstrates a propensity towards conformism. The seminars both examine the critical status of psychoanalysis and try to 'apply' it critically in ways that will hopefully open up discussion and further debate.