THE FATHER AND THE PATERNAL FUNCTION IN THE PSYCHOANALYTICAL PROCESS: THEORETICAL AND CLINICAL ISSUES*
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Article THE FATHER AND THE PATERNAL FUNCTION IN THE PSYCHOANALYTICAL PROCESS: THEORETICAL AND CLINICAL ISSUES* Rui Araga˜o Oliveira1
The author addresses the essential aspects regarding the definition of the paternal function in metapsychological terms: how it forms and develops in the mental world, which functions it serves, or could come to serve, in the dynamic of mental functioning, and lastly, the consequent clinical implications, in particular the formation and development of symbolic capacity. In the second part, using two clinical vignettes and a clinical case, the author attempts to discuss its link to the theme of masculinity, suggesting a brief reflection on the challenges presented to the specificities of the analytical clinic.
KEY WORDS: father; paternal function; masculinity; penis-as-link; triangulation; clinical technique https://doi.org/10.1057/s11231-020-09262-y
In psychoanalysis, the paternal function still needs to be defined as a metapsychological concept. Only if we have a clear definition of it, can we then discuss in detail how it forms and develops in the mental world, which functions it serves, or could come to serve in the dynamic of mental functioning, and lastly, the consequent clinical implications. In this paper I will first address the essential aspects regarding the definition of the paternal function in metapsychological terms, in particular the formation and development of symbolic capacity. In the second part, using clinical examples, I will attempt to discuss its link to the theme of masculinity, suggesting a brief reflection on the challenges presented to the specificities of the analytical clinic. Rui Araga˜o Oliveira, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist and Training and Supervising Analyst, Portuguese Psychoanalytical Society. Past President, Portuguese Psychoanalytical Society. Dr. Araga˜o Oliveira works full time in private practice in Lisbon, Portugal. Address correspondence to Rui Araga˜o Oliveira, rua Julieta Ferra˜o 12, piso 9, sala 906, 1600 131 Lisbon, Portugal. *A version of this paper was presented at the Lisbon Clinical Marathon, June 2019.
˜ O OLIVEIRA ARAGA
THE PATERNAL FUNCTION AS INTRAPSYCHIC CONSTRUCT
The epistemological point of view is perhaps the most structured and essential. The paternal function has been attributed to elements sometimes considered different and the historical/evolutionary references mentioned by various authors (see Araga˜o Oliveira, 2015) express the same view: it is actually a structuring role of the mental world that deserves more attention. As David Rosenfelt (2006) remarked, in psychoanalysis, this role—the paternal function—does not exist as something in itself; it is, in fact, precisely the opposite, it is a long and probably unending didactic process, associated with creativity and learning. The evolution of this construct constitutes an object of singular representation in the organization of the mental apparatus, comprising power, protection, and admiration; but it is equally associated to castration anxiety, authority, dread,
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