The originality of Wilhelm Reich’s thinking lies in the fact that sexuality is considered essential in explaining social values and behaviour. As an iconoclast, Reich criticized any kind of morality and revealed the cultural origins of ideology. Although his belief in the heuristic value of biological energy led him to be accused of functionalism and determinism, he analysed culture by criticizing ideological hypostasis and developed a sociology of power based on the social and political implications of sexuality. The medical studies conducted during his career as a psychoanalyst led Reich to deal with human aggression. He aimed to show how the processes of socialization that characterize authoritarian institutions such as the family cause conformist and irrational subjectivities that dramatically affect the political dimension. The first paragraph retraces the psycho‑social origins of human aggression while the second illustrates Reich’s sociology with particular reference to the relationship between sexuality and power. The concluding paragraph discusses Reich’s work, bringing together the political, social and economic aspects of his research.
Reich's Legacy. Power and Sexuality in Social Life
Emiliano Bevilacqua
2024-01-01
Abstract
The originality of Wilhelm Reich’s thinking lies in the fact that sexuality is considered essential in explaining social values and behaviour. As an iconoclast, Reich criticized any kind of morality and revealed the cultural origins of ideology. Although his belief in the heuristic value of biological energy led him to be accused of functionalism and determinism, he analysed culture by criticizing ideological hypostasis and developed a sociology of power based on the social and political implications of sexuality. The medical studies conducted during his career as a psychoanalyst led Reich to deal with human aggression. He aimed to show how the processes of socialization that characterize authoritarian institutions such as the family cause conformist and irrational subjectivities that dramatically affect the political dimension. The first paragraph retraces the psycho‑social origins of human aggression while the second illustrates Reich’s sociology with particular reference to the relationship between sexuality and power. The concluding paragraph discusses Reich’s work, bringing together the political, social and economic aspects of his research.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
