Tales of the triangle. Thoughts on essentials of psychoanalysis across cultures

Bibliographic Data

ID7203282
AuthorsTomas Plaenkers (0000-0002-9665-8514, Training and supervising analyst, German Psychoanalytical Association (DPV) (IPA), corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume106
Issue3
Pages575-587
Publication date2025-05-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe International Journal of Psychoanalysis (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0020-7578 • E-ISSN: 1745-8315
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00207578.2025.2511321
PMID40740054
OpenAlexW4412779040
LanguageEN
References cited15

The paper explores the universal validity of the Oedipus complex in different cultures, particularly in Asia, and discusses the role of psychoanalysis as an anchor in chaotic times. The author delves into the objections raised by Asian cultures to the universal validity of the Oedipus complex. They provide examples from Indian, Chinese, and Japanese myths that challenge Freud's concept. The author argues that these myths and cultural variations are not antipodes to the Oedipus complex but rather cultural variants of a universal triangularity. The Eastern myths suggest that the early mother-child relationship plays a central role in cultural development and assigns women a significant role, contrary to Freud's views. Furthermore, the author challenges the notion of cultural identity between the West and the East as incommensurable. The paper concludes by discussing the need for psychoanalysis to address the individual and social turns against triangularity

Psychoanalysis · Psychoanalytic theory · Psychoanalytic Therapy · Academic and Historical Perspectives in Psychology · Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics · Psychology · Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications

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