The unconscious : a conceptual analysis

"Alasdair MacIntyre argues that Freud's conception of the unconscious is complicated by his tendency to use the term in two different ways. MacIntyre shows how Freud uses the term 'unconscious' both as a straightforward description of psychological phenomena, and as a theoretical notion to explain the links between childhood events and adult behaviour. This clarification helps to shed light on the many misunderstandings of psychoanalysis, and to separate out what is, and what is not, of lasting value in Freud's account of the unconscious." "The Unconscious also explores the nature of psychological theory and examines theories of motivation, purpose and reason in light of the history of philosophy."--BOOK JACKET.