George Makari
- History of the Self
- The Invention of Psychiatry
- Psychoanalysis and Modernity
- Revolution in Mind: The Creation of Psychoanalysis (2008)
- Soul Machine: The Invention of the Modern Self (2015)
George Makari is an American historian of psychiatry and psychoanalysis, best known for his meticulously researched and comprehensive historical accounts of the development of psychoanalytic thought and its relationship to broader intellectual and cultural contexts. His work emphasizes the historical contingency of psychoanalytic concepts and their entanglement with the emergence of modern notions of the self.
Biography
Makari's work stands out for its detailed examination of the historical, social, and intellectual forces that shaped the emergence and evolution of psychoanalysis. He is particularly interested in the ways in which psychoanalytic ideas have influenced and been influenced by broader cultural trends and intellectual movements.
Education and Early Career
Makari received his M.D. from Cornell University Medical College and completed his psychiatric residency at the Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic. He also holds a Ph.D. in history from Cornell University. His interdisciplinary training in both medicine and history provides him with a unique perspective on the history of psychiatry and psychoanalysis. He has held academic positions at Cornell University and Weill Cornell Medical College.
Key Turning Points
A key turning point in Makari's career was his decision to pursue a Ph.D. in history alongside his medical training. This allowed him to develop the methodological tools necessary to conduct rigorous historical research on the development of psychoanalysis. His engagement with the work of historians and philosophers of science, such as Michel Foucault and Ian Hacking, further shaped his approach to the history of psychiatry and psychoanalysis. His book, Revolution in Mind: The Creation of Psychoanalysis, marked a significant contribution to the field, offering a comprehensive and nuanced account of the emergence of psychoanalysis in the late 19th century.[1]
Engagement with Psychoanalysis
Makari approaches psychoanalysis primarily as a historian, rather than as a clinician or theorist. His work focuses on understanding the historical context in which psychoanalytic ideas emerged and evolved, as well as the social and cultural forces that shaped their development. He is particularly interested in the ways in which psychoanalysis has influenced and been influenced by broader intellectual and cultural trends.
Makari's work challenges traditional narratives of psychoanalysis that present it as a purely scientific or medical endeavor. Instead, he emphasizes the historical contingency of psychoanalytic concepts and their entanglement with broader cultural and intellectual currents. He argues that psychoanalysis should be understood as a product of its time, shaped by the specific social, political, and intellectual conditions in which it emerged.
Makari's engagement with psychoanalysis is also informed by his interest in the history of the self. He sees psychoanalysis as playing a crucial role in the development of modern notions of the self, particularly the idea of the self as a complex and dynamic entity shaped by unconscious forces. His book, Soul Machine: The Invention of the Modern Self, explores the historical development of this idea, tracing its roots back to the Enlightenment and examining its relationship to various intellectual and cultural movements, including psychoanalysis.[2]
Theoretical Contributions
Makari's primary contribution to the field of psychoanalysis lies in his historical scholarship. He has provided a more nuanced and historically grounded understanding of the development of psychoanalytic thought and practice. His work has challenged traditional narratives of psychoanalysis and has highlighted the importance of understanding its historical context.
History of the Self
Makari's work on the history of the self is particularly relevant to psychoanalysis. He argues that psychoanalysis played a crucial role in the development of modern notions of the self, particularly the idea of the self as a complex and dynamic entity shaped by unconscious forces. His book, Soul Machine: The Invention of the Modern Self, explores the historical development of this idea, tracing its roots back to the Enlightenment and examining its relationship to various intellectual and cultural movements, including psychoanalysis.
The Invention of Psychiatry
Makari's work also sheds light on the history of psychiatry and its relationship to psychoanalysis. He argues that psychiatry and psychoanalysis emerged as distinct but related fields in the late 19th century, both seeking to understand and treat mental illness. His work explores the complex and often fraught relationship between these two fields, highlighting the ways in which they have influenced and been influenced by each other.
Psychoanalysis and Modernity
Makari's work emphasizes the relationship between psychoanalysis and modernity. He argues that psychoanalysis should be understood as a product of modernity, shaped by the specific social, political, and intellectual conditions of the modern era. His work explores the ways in which psychoanalysis has both reflected and shaped modern culture, influencing everything from literature and art to politics and social theory.
Influence and Legacy
Makari's work has had a significant impact on the field of psychoanalysis, particularly among historians and scholars interested in the history of psychoanalytic thought. His books have been widely praised for their meticulous research, their nuanced interpretations, and their engaging writing style.
Makari's work has also influenced psychoanalytic theorists and clinicians, providing them with a richer and more historically grounded understanding of the development of psychoanalytic ideas. His work has helped to challenge traditional narratives of psychoanalysis and has highlighted the importance of understanding its historical context.
Makari's legacy lies in his contribution to a more historically informed and critically engaged understanding of psychoanalysis. His work has helped to move the field beyond traditional hagiographies and has opened up new avenues for research and inquiry.
Key Works
- Revolution in Mind: The Creation of Psychoanalysis (2008): A comprehensive historical account of the emergence of psychoanalysis in the late 19th century, exploring the intellectual, social, and cultural forces that shaped its development.
- Soul Machine: The Invention of the Modern Self (2015): An exploration of the historical development of modern notions of the self, tracing its roots back to the Enlightenment and examining its relationship to various intellectual and cultural movements, including psychoanalysis.