Psychoanalysis and Polyamory

This short book provides a psychoanalytic defence of polyamory as well as highlighting the problems of monogamous relationships and how they cause conflict between an analysand and the Other. Gildersleeve shows that polyamory circumvents the impasses of monogamy and argues that the value of this relationship structure is undervalued because the issue has not been reflected on or thought out thoroughly. Gildersleeve methodically uses the polyamorous literature as well as Zizek’s interpretation of Lacan and a Heideggerian interpretation of Jung to achieve these goals. His aim is to show a more productive and authentic relationship structure by unconcealing what is unconscious about monogamy and its alternative polyamory. By integrating polyamory and psychoanalysis this book offers “new discursive possibilities for the development of polyamorous identities relationships and emotions” and poses the Lacanian question “Have you acted in conformity with your desire?”.