Can the unconscious be queeredâ€"and what does that mean for psychoanalytic theory?
Queering theory has been an important tool for thinking about gender, identity, sexuality, and desire since the late twentieth century. Queer theory is often applied to literature, film, art, history, sociology, anthropology, politics, philosophy, psychology, and psychoanalysis. It challenges traditional categories like male/female, heterosexual/homosexual, and normative/abnormal. In this article, I will explore how queering can expand the definition of the unconscious and transform psychoanalysis.
The concept of the unconscious was introduced by Sigmund Freud in the early twentieth century. He defined it as a part of the mind where thoughts and memories are stored that are not available to conscious awareness but still influence behavior and emotions. The unconscious operates outside of conscious control and may reveal itself through dreams, slips of the tongue, or symptoms such as anxiety or phobias.
Many psychoanalysts have explored the role of sex and sexuality in the unconscious.
Jacques Lacan argued that sexual difference plays a central role in shaping subjectivity and relationships. Laura Mulvey's feminist film theory focused on the representation of women in cinema and its implications for patriarchal power structures.
Some scholars argue that traditional psychoanalysis relies too heavily on binary categories like male/female, hetero/homo, normal/abnormal, and that these categories perpetuate oppressive social hierarchies. This has led to calls to "queer" psychoanalysisâ€"to challenge conventional thinking about sexuality, gender, and identity.
Queering the unconscious means challenging assumptions about what is acceptable or possible within it. It involves exploring alternative forms of desire, intimacy, and pleasure that fall outside of mainstream norms.
Some scholars have discussed queering the Oedipus complex, suggesting that children can develop attractions to same-sex parents or siblings without being pathologized.
This approach opens up new possibilities for understanding how sexual desires and fears shape our lives, beyond just those related to heterosexual romantic love. It also suggests that we can explore the unconscious in more creative and imaginative ways, expanding the range of what is considered psychically real.
Queering the unconscious offers exciting opportunities to transform psychoanalytic theory. By questioning traditional binaries, we can create a more inclusive and open field where all kinds of experiences and identities are recognized as valid.
Can the unconscious be queered — and what does that mean for psychoanalytic theory?
The question posed is whether it is possible to "queer" the unconscious, and if so, what implications this might have for psychoanalytic theory. This refers to the notion of exploring and understanding the subconscious mind from a non-binary perspective, challenging traditional notions of sexuality and gender.