A reinterpretation of Freud’s trauma theory This book makes the compelling argument that the key to understanding Freud’s clinical writings and psychoanalytical theories lies in his trauma theory. The authors argue that Freud never truly abandoned his initial trauma theory – the seduction theory – in favour of the Oedipus complex and the primacy of fantasy. Instead, Freud progressively enriched his understanding of trauma, expanding his theory to include references to the evolution of human beings and organic life. Trauma runs as a red thread throughout Freud’s oeuvre. It occupies a central position in both his clinical case studies and his meta-psychological speculations. Freud ultimately develops a metaphysics of trauma and a tragic view of human existence – a worldview that continues to resonate within contemporary philosophy and psychoanalysis. This book makes the compelling argument that the key to understanding Freud’s clinical writings and psychoanalytical theories lies in his trauma theory. The authors argue that Freud never truly abandoned his initial trauma theory – the seduction theory – in favour of the Oedipus complex and the primacy of fantasy. Instead, Freud progressively enriched his understanding of trauma, expanding his theory to include references to the evolution of human beings and organic life. Trauma runs as a red thread throughout Freud’s oeuvre. It occupies a central position in both his clinical case studies and his meta-psychological speculations. Freud ultimately develops a metaphysics of trauma and a tragic view of human existence – a worldview that continues to resonate within contemporary philosophy and psychoanalysis. Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter 1 The psychologization of trauma and the origination of seduction theory Chapter 2 Seduction and hysterical disposition: Dora Chapter 3 Trauma, aggression and father complex: The Rat Man Chapter 4 Seduction, primal scene and constitution: The Wolf Man Chapter 5 Constitution, phylogeny and evolutionary biology Chapter 6 Traumatic neurosis, compulsion to repeat and drive theory: Beyond the Pleasure Principle Chapter 7 Trauma and character: The man Moses Chapter 8 Freud’s metaphysics of trauma Notes Bibliography Index