The scientific character of psychoanalysis: Freud in the current discussion

Abstract

The discussion on the scientific character of psychoanalysis is continuous and multifaceted. Nowadays the extent and variety of the implied aspects in it is even increased. In this context this article presents for its analysis and assessment a reconsideration of Freud’s line of argument regarding the scientific character of psychoanalysis. Against a quite spread view that conceives Freud’s scientific perspective as a reflex of general traits of his time such as positivism, sustained by recent research on Freud this article proposes the reconsideration of Freud’s perspective in a more exhaustive and nuanced way and holds that it is based on a composed by integrated parts, unified and consistent line of argument maintained through all his work. The reconsideration of the design of Freud’s argument allows to hold that his own formulation is still fruitful and suitable for the present, particularly as it possibilitates, justifies and requires the connection of psychoanalysis to the development of knowledge.