Do mal-estar moderno ao pós-moderno: o declínio da função paterna e a formação de novos sintomas

Abstract

This study aims at analysing the implications that the discontent and the paternal role decline had in Modern and Postmodern periods. In this mode, the research plans to track on how discontent has been leading the way to psychological disorders in western civilization, since XVII century, passing by XIX century, until nowadays, known as Postmodern period. For this purpose, a methodology that has its foundations on a hermeneutic-interpretative approach will be conducted based on bibliographic sources and textual productions. The Enlightened ideals will be theoretically discussed, especially concerning the concept of civilization and progress. The perspective of some Enlightenment philosophers will be further explored, with emphasis on Rousseau‘s philosophy, underpinned by his Discourse on the origin of inequalities, as an example of reflections on modern discontent. Furthermore, some relations between Freud and Rousseau will be presented in order to explain the anthropological theory that both developed around the entrance in the culture, referring respectively to their works: Civilization and its discontents and The second discourse. In this context, it will also be discussed to what extent Freud was influenced by the Enlightenment, mainly with respect to the idea of civilization and progress, and how he moved away from that movement while approaching Romanticism. Subsequently, the issue of Modern discontent will be addressed starting with the discovery of neurosis as XIX century neural disorder, ending with a reflection on hysterical symptoms in the XIX century and on how Freudian psychoanalysis emerged. The issue of the paternal authority in the modern family will be also addressed, as well as the decline of traditional authorities. Within that framework, the concept of Postmodernity by Jean François Lyotard will be compared with Zygmunt Bauman‘s reflections on his Post-modernity and its discontents, then presenting the differences from Freud‘s perspective of modernity and its discontents. Finally, the issue of the paternal function decline will be addressed from the perspective of the Lacanian psychoanalysis, highlighting its consequences in the development of the new symptoms.