Freudian reading: generative interpretation and the production of meaning

This thesis argues that there is an underappreciated, constructivist mode of interpretation in Freud’s work, where meaning is generated through interpretation rather than merely uncovered. Applying this mode of interpretation to Freud’s texts forms a reliable way of producing new, fruitful readings of Freudian theory. Once the concept of generative interpretation has been developed, this thesis argues that we can use it to make explicit the logic of Lacan’s methodology in his ‘return to Freud’ which was, until now, only implicit. A comprehensive analysis of Freud’s 'hermeneutic' work, particularly The Interpretation of Dreams, highlights Freud’s neglected constructivist method and critiques his tendency to obscure this novel practice in favour of more conventional modes of interpretation. It demonstrates how Freud assigns the responsibility for producing meaning in analysis to the analysand. Turning to Lacan, this thesis shows how applying this methodology to Freud’s texts allows for the development of Freudian concepts that depart from Freud’s own original conception while remaining faithful to the lines of inquiry he first initiated. It demonstrates how Lacan cyclically regresses into Freud’s texts to expose unaddressed problematics internal to Freudian theory before progressing out from there through the deployment of new, extraneous concepts. However, clinical considerations would lead Lacan to overemphasize the dimension of force at the expense of meaning, thus halting further advances upon Freud’s textual edifice. This thesis seeks to return meaning to the heart of Freud’s project and reanimate Lacan’s dual-edged reading practice to ensure the continued development of Freudian theory. While Freud and Lacan are central to this project, they often present its greatest obstacles. To preserve what is radical in their work against what is restrictive, they are brought into dialogue with a range of French theorists, including Laplanche, Ricoeur, Badiou, Miller, Julien, Foucault, and Irigaray. The product of this conversation is a revalorization of meaning in Freudian theory and the explication of a reading practice by which one can continue to use Freud’s texts to develop psychoanalytic thought.