Psychoanalysis AND/OR Marxism? Critique of Present Times

The Institute of Philosophy ZRC SAZU invites you to a public forum Psychoanalysis AND/OR Marxism? Critique of Present Times, organized on the occasion of the research visit of Lorenzo Chiesa from Newcastle University, UK.

Present times are times of incessant crises and increasing inequalities. It is hardly disputable that this predicament is dictated by capitalism as a concrete reality and our only hegemonically global discourse. What does it take to criticise a thus understood present? Assuming that both psychoanalysis, as a theory and practice of the unconscious, and Marxism, as a theory and practice of class struggle, individually remain valuable tools to contest the status quo, can they still form an effective alliance? Does the critique of libidinal economy remain compatible with that of political economy? Could an updated synergy between the two, as neo-Freudo-Marxism, promote change, more justice, and, in short, a better future?

This event features six panellists with a background in different disciplines but all sharing a profound interest in psychoanalysis and/or Marxism.Each panellist will present a twenty-minute thesis. Panellists are divided into two panels. Each panel is followed by open discussion with the public and among panellists.

The forum will take place on 6 December in the Gosposka Hall, Gosposka ulica 16, Ljubljana. // Online session (via Zoom)