Why Sigmund Freud is making a comeback in the age of authoritarianism and AI

https://theconversation.com/why-sigmund-freud-is-making-a-comeback-in-the-age-of-authoritarianism-and-ai-273499

Publish Date: 2026-02-13 12:37:00

Here is a summary of the article in an unordered list with between 4 and 8 key points:

– Psychoanalysis is experiencing a resurgence, with its theories gaining popularity in social media and television, alongside think pieces in established cultural and literary publications.
– Historically, psychoanalysis was marginalized in scientific circles favoring behavioral psychology and pharmaceuticals but has continued to thrive in countries like Argentina as an influential means to cope with political crises and authoritarian regimes.
– The rise of psychoanalysis has often coincided with political turmoil; for example, it was embraced by figures like Wilhelm Reich and Frantz Fanon to understand and resist oppression.
– Contemporary resurgence of interest in psychoanalysis is being driven by clinician-intellectuals who merge Freud’s theories with modern scientific advancements, like neuroscience, to provide long-term mental health solutions.
– Psychoanalysis’s focus on deep-time, human connection, and complex experiences of suffering make it especially relevant in today’s climate of commodification and quick-fix medicine.
– This revitalized interest in psychoanalysis is transforming the field itself, questioning long-held assumptions and incorporating elements of social justice.
– Psychoanalysis continues to be a tool for understanding and responding to political, state-sponsored violence, and collective trauma, providing a nuanced framework that other theories may not offer.
– The future of this psychoanalytic renaissance remains uncertain; however, as political crises persist, the field’s ability to address the complexities of the human psyche seems poised to find and retain a new audience.