Searching for Transcendence: Drives, Emotions, and Infinity

Abstract

There seems to be a need to theorize about transcendence in the actual relational literature. This may be related to the abandonment of drive theory. Emotions conceived by Matte-Blanco as infinite sets seem to recover that transcendence. In the clinical situation references to God seem to point many times to this infinity of emotionality. In these cases the emergence of art in the clinical dialogue—as long it can provide symbols of the infinite—seem to be able to unfold in our finiteness the infinite. These symbols can fill the infinity of potential space, so as not to experience an infinite and silent void that terrifies.

Notes

¹ Greeks distinguished at least three kinds of love: Eros, Phylia and Agape. Eros was the most ancient of Gods, according to Parmenides.

² Emotions may acquire a drive quality. They can “drive you crazy.” They make vulnerable our sense of agency.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Juan Francisco Jordan-Moore

Juan Francisco Jordan-Moore, M.D., is a psychoanalyst, Past-President of the Chilean IARPP Chapter, Member of the IARPP Board, Attached Associate Professor Psychology School Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Psychoanalysis as Deputy Editor for Latin America 1998–2009, President of the Chilean Psychoanalytic Association 1992–1994. His publications have appeared in international and national journals and book. He has been in private practice as a psychoanalyst in Santiago, Chile, for the past 35 years.