Which materialism? Questioning the matrix of psychology, neurology, psychoanalysis, and ideology critique

Abstract

Juxtaposing the materialistic claims of the neurological turn in the psy-sciences in conjunction with the seemingly opposed virtual turn in society more broadly, this article explores the quadruple matrix of psychology/psychoanalysis/neurology/ideology critique. Assuming the challenge of materialism (“il faut absolutement être materialiste”), the various vicissitudes to which the components of the matrix are subjected to as they become trapped within the materialist–virtual vortex, are explored. It is argued that the failure to adopt a true materialist stance causes the various components of the matrix to collapse into one another. The central question of the paper: “can a psychoanalytic materialistic perspective offer a way out?” is answered, largely via a critical dialogue with Adrian Johnston, by arguing that psychoanalysis deals with a decentred materiality, a materiality of the object a.

Diagnosis and the DSM

“…This theoretical position does not give rise to an idealist theory of the mind in which non-material mental forces are presumed to be active, but to a so-called decentred materialism. Crucial to this Lacanian materialism is the divided subject's relation to the Real (De Vos, 2014). In this context, Lacan made a relevant distinction between nature and physics.…”