Œdipus: Religious Myth or Analytical Framework?
Journal name: Archives De Sciences Sociales Des Religions
Original article title: L'Œdipe, mythe religieux ou construction analytique ? / Œdipus, Religious Myth or Analytical Construction?
The journal “Archives of Social Sciences of Religions” publishes advanced research on religion in French, English, and Spanish. It studies the sociology of religions and religious traditions or theologies. It is supported by the INSHS-CNRS (“Institut des Sciences Humaines et Sociales”)
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Original source:
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Marie-Jean Sauret.
Archives De Sciences Sociales Des Religions:
(Founded in 1956 and published quarterly”)
Full text available for: L'Œdipe, mythe religieux ou construction analytique ? / Œdipus, Religious Myth or Analytical Construction?
Year: 1978
Copyright (license): © Archives de sciences sociales des religions
Summary of article contents:
1) Introduction
In Marie-Jean Sauret's article "L'ŒDIPE MYTHE RELIGIEUX OU CONSTRUCTION ANALYTIQUE?", published in the Archives de Sciences Sociales des Religions, the author explores the complex relationship between psychoanalysis and religion, particularly focusing on Freud's thoughts concerning myth and belief. The central question revolves around whether psychoanalytic terms such as "delirium," "religious expression," and "psycho-analytical construction" can be considered equivalent. Sauret posits that religious myths serve as reservoirs of significances and symbolic relationships that structure an individual's belief system, with a particular emphasis on the Oedipal structure of these myths.
2) The Oedipal Structure of Religion
Sauret argues that the Oedipal myth can be interpreted as a religious construct. He suggests that the myth facilitates an individual's access to symbolic understanding and that the interplay of desire within the Oedipus complex ultimately leads to the acceptance of a paternal figure represented as God. This transition reflects a psychological need to reconcile the individual’s primal urges with societal expectations, resulting in religious belief as a form of coping with existential crises. The Oedipal framework allows individuals to navigate their relationships with authority, ultimately revealing that personal and collective myths are intricately linked in the construction of religious understanding.
3) The Role of Guilt in Religious Experience
Another significant concept discussed by Sauret is the notion of guilt in relation to religious belief. He highlights how religion often addresses inherent conflicts within the human psyche, responding to feelings of guilt associated with primal desires. Freud’s assertion that humanity's history is plagued by a guilt originating from the primal murder of the father figure is crucial here. This perspective suggests that religious narratives seek to provide a means of absolution for these feelings of guilt, enabling individuals to reconcile their aggressive instincts with societal norms. Consequently, the function of religion is also seen as a tool for managing this guilt, offering a façade of moral structure and redemption.
4) The Conversion Experience
Sauret also delves into the concept of conversion as a pivotal experience within religious frameworks. Using the example of a letter from a young American doctor to Freud regarding his own conversion experience, he highlights the psychodynamic processes at play during such moments. The conversion appears as a restructured belief system, wherein the subject moves from disillusionment regarding the existence of a benevolent deity to a renewed faith in God, contextualized within a framework of familial dynamics and personal loss. This illustrates how personal crises can catalyze shifts in belief, suggesting that conversion serves both as a resolution to psychological conflict and as a reaffirmation of communal myth.
5) The Interaction of Myths and Individual Experience
The article further posits that personal myths cannot be wholly separated from collective religious narratives. Sauret emphasizes that personal mythology, including Oedipal themes, often mirrors and is informed by larger cultural myths. The structures of both individual and collective beliefs offer insights into the human condition, reflecting the underlying psychological processes that shape religious experiences. By examining the interplay between individual storytelling and wider cultural myths, Sauret illuminates how these narratives give rise to shared understandings of existence and connection to the sacred.
6) Conclusion
In conclusion, Marie-Jean Sauret's exploration of the intersection between psychoanalysis and religion offers rich insights into how myth, belief, and personal experience shape human understanding. By framing the Oedipal structure as central to both myth and religious experience, he emphasizes the need to consider psychological dimensions alongside cultural narratives. This comprehensive analysis serves not only to deepen the understanding of Freud’s theories but also to highlight the complex motivations behind religious belief and the essential role of mythology in addressing profound psychological dilemmas. Sauret invites further discourse on these compelling intersections, ultimately reinforcing the notion that belief and desire are inextricably linked within the human experience.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the main focus of Marie-Jean Sauret's article?
The article examines the boundaries between psychoanalytical contributions and religious experience, questioning the equivalence of terms like 'delirium', 'religious expression', and 'psycho-analytical construction'.
How does Sauret relate the Oedipus myth to religion?
Sauret argues that the Oedipus myth serves as a religious structure that helps individuals access symbolic relationships and significances, particularly during moments of belief restructuring.
What role does Freud's work play in Sauret's analysis?
Sauret discusses Freud's insights on religion and psychoanalysis, highlighting Freud's efforts to connect individual neuroses with collective religious beliefs and the solutions religion offers to psychological conflicts.
What does Sauret identify as important aspects of religious belief?
Sauret identifies the psychological processes, such as the interplay between desire, belief, and faith, and how they manifest through individual and collective mythologies.
What insight does Freud provide regarding the conversion experience?
Freud interprets a conversion experience, suggesting it reflects a nostalgic yearning for the mother and a conflict with the father, showcasing the psychological struggle within religious belief.
How does Sauret differentiate between myth singularity and collectivity?
Sauret suggests that while individuals may have unique myths, they are ultimately constructed from a shared repository of signifiers inherent in religious discourse.
What conclusions does Sauret draw about belief and psychoanalysis?
Sauret concludes that belief is intricately tied to psychological mechanisms, including the reactivation of Oedipal conflicts and the negotiation of guilt, contributing to the function of religion in addressing these issues.
Glossary definitions and references:
Theological and religious glossary list for “Œdipus: Religious Myth or Analytical Framework?”. The list explains important keywords that occur in this and other scholarly articles. It is also linked to the glossary for understanding that concept in the context of History, Religion, Philosophy, Theology, Sociology etc.
1) Religion:
Religion is a system of beliefs that provide meaning and structure to human experience, often dealing with the unknown aspects of existence and addressing feelings of doubt and anxiety about life, death, and the universe.
2) Woman (Women):
[see source text or glossary: #Women#]
3) Oedipus:
The Oedipus complex represents a significant theory in psychoanalysis, illustrating a child's internal struggle with forbidden desire toward the mother and rivalry with the father, ultimately impacting their understanding of love, morality, and social relationships.
4) Desire:
Desire in psychoanalytic theory connects deeply with the Oedipal structure and reflects the underlying motivation driving human behavior, influencing how individuals pursue fulfillment while navigating the limits imposed by social norms and repression.
5) Existence:
The question of existence is central to both philosophy and psychology, as it explores themes of identity, purpose, and the profound realities of death, influencing various theological perspectives and individual belief systems.
6) Psychosis:
Psychosis represents a severe mental disorder, often leading to delusions or a breakdown in reality perception, highlighting the struggle between conflicting desires and the more complex dimensions of conscious thought and human experience.
7) Doubt:
Doubt emerges as a fundamental aspect of the human psyche, often surfacing in discussions of faith and the existence of a higher power, thus revealing the intricate relationship between belief, skepticism, and knowledge.
8) Love:
Love is explored not only as an emotional connection but as an integral part of the Oedipal framework, shaping desires and influencing interpersonal relationships while intertwining with themes of loss, longing, and identity.
9) Face (Facing, Faced):
The face serves as a potent symbol in psychoanalysis, representing the interface between internal emotional states and external perceptions, often evoking societal judgments and individual identity shaping throughout life experiences.
10) Young men (Young man):
The young man, often depicted in conversion narratives, embodies the struggle between inherited beliefs and personal revelations, especially regarding the dynamics of love, faith, and the influence of family structures.
11) Communication (Communicating, Communicate, Communicated):
Communication serves as a fundamental process through which beliefs and emotions are expressed and shared, facilitating understanding of desires and the intricate dynamics of interpersonal relationships.
12) Inference:
Inference is an essential cognitive process in psychoanalysis, enabling individuals to draw conclusions from their experiences, reflections, and the communications that arise within therapeutic contexts, revealing knowledge about oneself.
13) Tongue:
The tongue symbolizes communication and the expression of ideas; its significance in psychoanalysis pertains to how language reflects inner desires, conflicts, and the complex dynamics of unconscious motivations present in discourse.
14) Knowledge:
Knowledge serves as the foundation of psychological understanding, particularly in relation to religious belief and existential inquiry, providing insight into the interplay between desire, reality, and the subjective experience of truth.
15) Death:
The concept of death is pivotal in both religious and psychological contexts, representing an ultimate unknown that invokes profound feelings of fear, anxiety, and ultimately, influences people's beliefs and desire for an afterlife.
16) Civilization:
Civilization reflects the collective societal structures that shape human behavior, beliefs, and interactions, often acting as a backdrop against which individual desires and neuroses are played out and understood.
17) Truth:
Truth in psychoanalytic discourse is fraught with complexities, as it traverses the boundaries of subjective experience, collective knowledge, and societal norms, prompting individuals to grapple with the realities of their own beliefs.
18) Pari:
[see source text or glossary: #Pari#]
19) Faith:
Faith signifies a profound belief often unshakeable by rational inquiry, interwoven with existential explorations of life, death, and divine presence, crucial in navigating the uncertainties of human existence.
20) Lead:
To lead involves guiding oneself or others through complex emotional and psychological landscapes, particularly associated with the processes of therapy, spirituality, and social influence present in civilization.
21) Unconscious:
The unconscious mind houses desires, fears, and repressed memories, fundamentally impacting behavior and influencing the interplay between conscious thoughts and deeper psychological motivations within psychoanalysis.
22) Leonardo:
Leonardo serves as a historical figure embodying complex desires and existential inquiries, providing a case study within psychoanalytic discourse that connects art, knowledge, and the search for identity and truth.
23) Imaginary:
The Imaginary is a crucial concept in psychoanalysis that encompasses fantasies and illusions, representing the idealized desires individuals chase, often serving as contrasts to the real and symbolic dimensions of experience.
24) Neurosis:
Neurosis elucidates a spectrum of psychological disorders tied to unresolved conflicts or anxieties, demonstrating how the interplay between desire, repression, and societal expectations can create significant personal distress.
25) Memory:
Memory is paramount in shaping identity and influencing desires; it encapsulates experiences that inform beliefs and perceptions, linking the past with present contexts and decisions concerning faith and understanding.
26) Future:
The future embodies possibilities and uncertainties that drive human behavior and motivation, notably reflected in constructs of belief and desire, as individuals seek to navigate life's complexities and truths.
27) Power:
Power is a recurring theme in discussions of authority and dominance, especially regarding paternal figures that embody societal beliefs in civilization, impacting the structure of Oedipal dynamics related to control and desire.
28) Penis:
The penis serves as a symbolic representation of masculinity, power, and sexual identity within psychoanalysis, signifying both desire and the fear of inadequacy, central to discussions surrounding the Oedipal complex.
29) Experience:
Experience encompasses the wide array of emotional and psychological events individuals undergo, often highlighting the combination of knowledge, memory, and belief systems that shape their perceptions of reality.
30) Illusion:
Illusion signifies the distortions of reality that can arise within various belief systems, shedding light on the complexities of knowledge, desire, and how individuals navigate their understanding of existence.
31) Pleasure:
Pleasure is a core motif examined in psychoanalysis, intricately tied to desires and the underlying motivations that drive human actions, revealing the balance between hedonistic pursuits and the constraints of civilization.
32) Delusion (Deluded):
Delusion represents a significant departure from reality, serving as a psychological defense mechanism where beliefs contrast sharply with external truths; examining delusions unveils underlying fears and desires.
33) Corpse:
The corpse symbolizes death and the materiality of existence, prompting visceral responses linked to fear, desire, and existential questioning, often appearing in narratives around belief and faith.
34) Sex (Sexual):
Sexuality is fundamentally intertwined with desire, identity, and psychoanalysis, framing discussions around love, relationships, and the complex dynamics inherent in the Oedipal structure.
35) Limit (Limiting, Limited):
Limit denotes the boundaries of understanding and expression, particularly regarding the interplay of desire and societal constraints, fostering anxiety and creating a fertile ground for psychological exploration.
36) Transference:
Transference represents a pivotal process in psychoanalysis where emotions and expectations relating to significant figures are redirected towards the therapist, unveiling critical insights into the subject's psyche.
37) Monotheism:
Monotheism encapsulates the belief in a singular divine entity, presenting unique challenges and insights within psychoanalytic discourse, particularly regarding the personal dynamics of faith, desire, and authority.
38) Discussion:
Discussion refers to the process of engaging in dialogue about significant themes surrounding existence, desire, and belief, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities of human experience.
39) Dimension:
Dimension signifies the multifaceted nature of psychological and existential inquiry, encompassing various aspects of human experience, belief, and desire that await exploration through psychoanalysis.
40) Physician:
[see source text or glossary: #Physician#]
41) Theology:
Theology, as the study of divine characteristics and beliefs, intersects with psychological inquiry, exploring how concepts of God shape human desires, fears, and ultimately the structure of civilization.
42) Feeling:
Feeling encompasses the emotional responses tied to desire and belief, revealing the significance of affective experience in shaping individual perceptions of reality and their connections to others.
43) Nature:
Nature represents the external world and its inherent laws, often explored in relation to human existence and desire, illustrating the innate conflicts between human aspirations and the natural order.
44) Octave:
[see source text or glossary: #Octave#]
45) Light:
[see source text or glossary: #Light#]
46) Soul:
The soul symbolizes the essence of human being, often explored in discussions surrounding existence and belief, raising questions about the afterlife and the interplay between the material and spiritual realms.
47) Transmission:
Transmission reflects the process of passing beliefs, knowledge, and cultural practices from one generation to another, fostering continuity in understanding and interpretation within civilization.
48) Delusion(s):
Delusions arise as intense beliefs incongruent with reality, offering insight into the psyche’s attempts to resolve internal conflicts and desires, ultimately showcasing the complexity of emotional and cognitive experiences.
49) Repression:
Repression signifies the psychological order where desires, fears, and traumas are kept from conscious awareness, profoundly influencing behavior and internal conflict, as seen in various neurotic and psychotic conditions.
50) Language:
Language serves as the primary medium for expressing thoughts, desires, and beliefs, playing a critical role in facilitating communication and understanding among individuals and communities.
51) Child (Children):
Child denotes innocence and the formative stages of psychological development, representing the foundational experiences that shape understanding of love, desire, and societal influences.
52) Ignorance (Ignorant):
Ignorant refers to individuals who lack knowledge or awareness of deeper truths and complexities surrounding belief systems, often functioning within a framework shaped by societal teachings.
53) Universe:
The universe encompasses all of existence, raising profound questions about humanity's place within it and the nature of the divine, often challenging individuals' beliefs and their connection to broader cosmological views.
54) Thomas:
[see source text or glossary: #Thomas#]
55) Priest:
The priest serves as a representative figure within religious structures, mediating between the divine and followers, influencing beliefs, and offering guidance on matters of faith, morality, and desire.
56) Murder (Murdering, Murdered):
Murder presents a moral and ethical dilemma deeply ingrained within cultural and religious doctrine, eliciting emotions connected to guilt, desire, and the Oedipal dynamics of authority figures.
57) Sight:
Sight represents perception, both physical and metaphorical, influencing how individuals interpret their experiences and the world around them, impacting beliefs and the understanding of truth.
58) Image:
An image evokes powerful associations of beauty, desire, and idealization, shaping identity and beliefs related to love, religion, and the complexities of human experience.
59) Beautiful women (Beautiful woman):
The beautiful woman symbolizes idealized femininity, evoking themes of desire, love, and the unconscious dynamics that govern relationships within the context of sexuality and identity.
60) Transformation (Transform, Transforming):
Transformation signifies the profound changes individuals undergo as they navigate their beliefs, desires, and understandings of self and others, critical to personal growth and psychoanalytic healing.
61) Non-existence:
Non-existence raises essential philosophical and theological questions regarding the afterlife, purpose, and the human desire for meaning, evoking awe and existential inquiry.
62) Conversation:
Conversation plays a vital role in the exchange of ideas, beliefs, and experiences, fostering connections among individuals while providing deeper insights into their desires and innate needs.
63) Renunciation:
Renunciation signifies the relinquishing of desires or worldly pleasures, often seen in religious contexts as a pathway to spiritual fulfillment and deeper understanding of existence.
64) Recognition:
Recognition is the process of acknowledging one's desires, experiences, and the truths of existence, fostering connections among individuals and their relationship with the collective and the divine.
65) Initiation:
Initiation represents the beginning of significant transformative processes in personal and communal contexts, often signifying a deeper understanding of desires, beliefs, and identity.
66) Philosophy:
Philosophy examines the fundamental questions of existence, knowledge, and morality, influencing belief systems and providing frameworks to understand complex human desires and experiences.
67) Reflection:
Reflection entails the process of introspection and consideration of one's thoughts and experiences, guiding individuals in the pursuit of knowledge, truth, and meaning in life.
68) Science (Scientific):
[see source text or glossary: #Scientific#]
69) Commitment:
Commitment signifies the dedication individuals exhibit towards their beliefs, relationships, and desires, often influencing personal growth and societal interactions.
70) Testimony:
Testimony embodies personal accounts and proof of experiences and beliefs, serving as a bridge for knowledge transfer and understanding within individual and collective contexts.
71) Evolution:
Evolution denotes the gradual development of ideas, beliefs, and identities over time, illustrating the complexities of desire and the intersection between individual growth and social evolution.
72) Education:
Education plays a crucial role in shaping beliefs, desires, and knowledge transfer, influencing how individuals perceive themselves and their relationship with the world around them.
73) Splitting:
Splitting refers to the psychological barrier created between conflicting desires and beliefs, impacting the understanding of self and complicating interpersonal dynamics within contexts of faith and loyalty.
74) Enjoyment:
Enjoyment signifies the pursuit of pleasure and fulfillment, central to psychoanalytic inquiry and reflecting on how individuals navigate societal and personal desires.
75) Sacrifice:
Sacrifice embodies the notion of giving up immediate pleasures for a greater belief system or purpose, demonstrating the complex interplay of desire, morality, and faith.
[Note: The above list is limited to 75. Total glossary definitions available: 92]