Persuasione

Abstract

The paper focuses on some aspects of persuasion in order to show that it is an interesting phenomenon also for psychoanalysis. The basic assumption is that persuasion is different from manipulation. The proposed thesis is that persuasion - intended as a peculiar relation between patient and psychoanalyst - plays a crucial role in psychoanalysis. Indeed, according to Freud, the role played by the concept of sicher Überzeugung (the belief of the patient and his confidence in the analyst) is vital for the success of the therapy. Finally, the consideration of persuasion in its relation with psychoanalysis can help us to see the role of persuasion in the constitution of the species-specificity of the human animal.