On the Aesthetic Structure of Sublimation: Re-Reading Marcuse V. Brown through the Birth of Tragedy

Holman, Christopher, PSYART

This essay will reread the debate between Herbert Marcuse and Norman O. Brown in terms of each author's conceptualization of the aesthetic structure of the psychoanalytic process of sublimation, using as a starting point Brown's association of sublimation with the figure of Apollo and his consequent embrace of Nietzsche's Dionysus. Brown will criticize the theory of sublimation for separating the individual's mind from her body through the transformation of sexual into soulful energy. As a consequence of the creation of this repressive boundary between soul and body Brown will associate sublimation with Apollo. In contrast to Brown, Marcuse sees in the reactivation of narcissistic libido …

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Publication information: Article title: On the Aesthetic Structure of Sublimation: Re-Reading Marcuse V. Brown through the Birth of Tragedy. Contributors: Holman, Christopher - Author. Journal title: PSYART. Publication date: January 1, 2007. Page number: Not available. © University of Florida 2008. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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