In Defense of Curiosity: Some Thoughts on Psychoanalysis and Secularism on the 20^thAnniversary of September 11^th

Abstract

Reflecting on developments that have occurred in the twenty years since 9/11, this paper attempts to refine a conception of what might be called psychoanalytic secularism. It does so by addressing a specific question: How can the field do justice to the demands that are raised by religion without violating the standpoint of science? Following Loewald, it argues not only that the profession's historical failure to do justice to the topic of religion was a result of its general adherence to Freud's "official" position, but also that the preoedipal turn has provided us with the resources to correct that failure which does not abandon a scientific stance.