Cartesian Neurosis and Being in Daseinsanalysis

Abstract

In this paper the author shares some of the experiences that she made during her daseinsanalysis work with neurotic patients. She specifically observes the distinctive way of being of some of her neurotic patients which she labels as Cartesian neurosis. She analyses their way of understanding and experiencing of the world, which she characterizes as Cartesian subject-objective tuning. It is an urging need to find evident certainties and to reach a state of perfection, which should lead to a reduction of their ever-growing anxiety. The author contemplates the possible causes of these Cartesian neuroses and presents casuistries with which she manifests how the way we understand the world predetermines the actual living content of our lives. Through a description of a therapeutic process she emphasizes the significance of the reserved approach on the side of the patient as well as of the therapist, who prevents the events of appropriation in the Das Ereignis sense. She examines the root of Heidegger’s philosophy – the question of Being, in a Daseinsanalysis process with these patients.