In fact it seems that there may be not one but two basic…
““In fact it seems that there may be not one but two basic dichotomies : on the one hand similitude and difference, on the other hands solidarity and opposition. The "indifference" is ultimately a form of opposition. At the pre-oedipien state, when there is acquired the distinction of the self and the other, similitude is a sign of belonging to a single class, an extension of the self, and difference is a sign of exteriority, of separation. With the oedipien state the homology is reversed: difference of sex signifies complementarity and desire, whereas identity of sex entails identity of object of desire, rivalry, conflict””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The text outlines two fundamental dichotomies—similitude/difference and solidarity/opposition—and how they reverse between pre‑Oedipal and Oedipal stages, linking identity, desire, and conflict.
In simple terms: It explains how similarity and difference, solidarity and opposition change meanings across developmental stages.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how relational dynamics shift with personal development.
Themes
psychology
development
identity
desire
conflict
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
Dichotomies:1
Opposition Indifference:0
Self Similitude:0
Distinction Self:0
Dichotomies Hand:0
When to use this quote
- family therapy
- personal growth
- cultural analysis
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
binary oppositions
psychoanalytic theory
structuralism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you see these oppositions playing out in your life?
- Can identity be both a source of solidarity and conflict?
A Different Perspective
The model may oversimplify complex human relations.