The Unconcept

The Freudian Uncanny in Late-Twentieth-Century Theory

By Anneleen Masschelein | Publisher: State University of New York Press

About the book

The Unconcept is the first genealogy of the concept of the Freudian uncanny, tracing the development, paradoxes and movements of this negative concept through various fields and disciplines from psychoanalysis, literary theory and philosophy to film studies, genre studies, sociology, religion, architecture theory, and contemporary art. Anneleen Masschelein explores the vagaries of this 'unconcept' in the twentieth century, beginning with Freud's seminal essay 'The Uncanny,' through a period of conceptual latency, leading to the first real conceptualizations in the 1970s and then on to the present dissemination of the uncanny to exotic fields such as hauntology, the study of ghosts, robotics and artificial intelligence. She unearths new material on the uncanny from the English, French and German traditions, and sheds light on the specific status of the concept in contemporary theory and practice in the humanities. This essential reference book for researchers and students of the uncanny is written in an accessible style. Through the lens of the uncanny, the familiar contours of the intellectual history of the twentieth century appear in a new and exciting light.

Editions of The Unconcept

Hardcover
ISBN 9781438435534
Paperback
ISBN 9781438435541
PDF
ISBN 9781438435558

Read an Excerpt

The Unconcept is the first genealogy of the concept of the Freudian uncanny, tracing the development, paradoxes and movements of this negative concept through various fields and disciplines from psychoanalysis, literary theory and philosophy to film studies, genre studies, sociology, religion, architecture theory, and contemporary art. Anneleen Masschelein explores the vagaries of this 'unconcept' in the twentieth century, beginning with Freud's seminal essay 'The Uncanny,' through a period of conceptual latency, leading to the first real conceptualizations in the 1970s and then on to the present dissemination of the uncanny to exotic fields such as hauntology, the study of ghosts, robotics and artificial intelligence. She unearths new material on the uncanny from the English, French and German traditions, and sheds light on the specific status of the concept in contemporary theory and practice in the humanities. This essential reference book for researchers and students of the uncanny is written in an accessible style. Through the lens of the uncanny, the familiar contours of the intellectual history of the twentieth century appear in a new and exciting light.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Unconcept about?

The Unconcept is the first genealogy of the concept of the Freudian uncanny, tracing the development, paradoxes and movements of this negative concept through various fields and disciplines from psychoanalysis, literary theory and philosophy to film studies, genre studies, sociology, religion, architecture theory, and contemporary art. Anneleen Masschelein explores the vagaries of this 'unconcept' in the twentieth century, beginning with Freud's seminal essay 'The Uncanny,' through a period of conceptual latency, leading to the first real conceptualizations in the 1970s and then on to the present dissemination of the uncanny to exotic fields such as hauntology, the study of ghosts, robotics and artificial intelligence. She unearths new material on the uncanny from the English, French and German traditions, and sheds light on the specific status of the concept in contemporary theory and practice in the humanities. This essential reference book for researchers and students of the uncanny is written in an accessible style. Through the lens of the uncanny, the familiar contours of the intellectual history of the twentieth century appear in a new and exciting light.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Unconcept?

Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Literature: history and criticism

Where can I read a sample of The Unconcept?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781438435534

How long is The Unconcept and how many pages does it have?

The Unconcept has 239 page(s)

Is The Unconcept part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series SUNY series, Insinuations: Philosophy, Psychoanalysis, Literature

Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Unconcept?

Anneleen Masschelein

Who is the Publisher of the book The Unconcept?

State University of New York Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

The Unconcept is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781438435534) and paperback(ISBN 9781438435541) and pdf(ISBN 9781438435558)

Where can I buy The Unconcept online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy The Unconcept from below

Where can I buy The Unconcept?