A study of neurosis through the lens of scopophilia
Authors
Pearse, Kieran
Issue Date
2016
Degree
MA in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
A study of neurosis through the lens of scopophilia – the desire to look - considers Freud’s case of the Rat Man. The Freudian case is examined for scopophilia and taken through to the modern Lacanian clinic of neurosis. In particular obsessional neurosis, will be explored in terms of scopophilia, fantasy, pornography and erotic art. By focusing on scopophilia, this thesis proposes that an understanding of the desire to look can be useful in the clinic, and especially in how the neurotic male recognises the desire of the other. Moreover, it raises the question of whether pornography as fantasy can discover the desire of the other. Ultimately the implications for the Lacanian ‘non-rapport sexuel’ between men and women are considered. Author keywords: Psychoanalysis, Psychotherapy, Freud, Lacan, Neurosis, Obsessional Neurosis, Rat Man, Sexuality, Scopophilia, Pornography, Erotic Art