Nicholson Addresses Freudian Theories

Linda Nicholson, a resident scholar and fellow at the Center for the Studies of Values and Public Life, spoke about Freudian psychology and identity last night at the Divinity School.

Nicholson, one of five fellows at the center lecturing this year, addressed a small audience in the Sperry Room. The event, titled "I am Modern, Hear Me Roar: The Emergence of the Psychological Self in the Early 20th Century United States," included readings by Nicholson of her book in progress.

After being introduced by Stendhahl Professor of New Testament and Ministerial Studies Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza as "one of the leading feminist philosophers and theorists in the United States, if not the world," Nicholson made light of the presentation's title.

"I hope there will be some roaring tonight," she said.

Nicholson's main topic was the psychological theories of Sigmund Freud. Nicholson read selections from her writings on the connections between physical differences and the individual's psyche. Nicholson spoke mainly about the views on this topic in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

According to Nicholson, at this time physical features "were not only markers but also causes of distinction between criminal and law-abiding, wealthy and poor, mad and sane."

"Physical features are being reconceptualized in very different ways," she said.

A revolutionary theory Freud put forth, Nicholson said, was the concept of "idea as cause" of mental illness, as opposed to a person's physical structure being responsible for all the irregularities of the mind.

"The body becomes one variable with other variables that generate gender," she said. "The relationship between the gender and the body is not detached. It's looser."

The second half of Nicholson's speech concerned Freud's studies of sexuality and morality and his definition of the id, ego and superego.

Nicholson contrasted Kant and Marx to Freud.

"Marx had no concrete accounts for explaining how people were products of their own environment," she said. "Freud thought of himself as a scientist who needed to base his theories on concrete evidence."

During a question-and-answer period, Nicholson faced queries about how applicable Freud's views on race and gender are today.

"Obviously Freud is racist, sexist," she said. "He is very much a product of his time. On a deeper level...[his work] was very liberating."

Nicholson also announced that she would be leading an upcoming weekly forum at the Divinity School. She said that at these forums she specifically hopes to speak about the theories of "Dr. Laura" Schlesinger, a popular radio talk show host and author.

"People with conservative views tend to ground them in absolutist ethics," she said. "We would consider the desirability of looking at ethics in absolutist terms."

Nicholson criticized Dr. Laura's screening procedures for her talk show. Dr. Laura typically picks questions for which she has the moral upper hand, Nicholson said.

"It's clear Dr. Laura does not want the challenge," Nicholson said in response to a question about Dr. Laura's tactics. "She seems to use her position as moral authority to answer the specific questions of her listeners."

Nicholson concluded by emphasizing that Freud's theories are still very relevant in psychology today.

"We have much to benefit from the work of Dr. Freud," she said.