Mourning revolutions in the virtual anastasis

Abstract

Mourning Revolutions in the Virtual Anastasis is a psychoanalytical and philosophical analysis, that places contemporary technologies and emerging practices for digital and virtual mourning into conversation with Freudian, Jungian, and Lacanian concepts. Through a series of speculations, the text wants to scrutinise the motives behind today's simulative technologies and hypothesise about the future interrelation between the individual and the absence of death. Although the argument is presented by clearly assuming a contrasting position to the use of VR high-tech novelties, the aim is still to offer a point of reflection rather than imposing a unilateral perspective. Therefore, the emphasis is placed on the multifaceted instances of virtually resurrecting loved ones and the inevitable revolutions that will be carried within the mourning process, ultimately departing from orthodox psychological views. The impacts of these revolutions are still largely obscure, but some light will be thrown by examining the internal dynamics of the individual mind and society as a whole. It will be argued how technological advancements, habitually embraced as a sign of evolution, contextualised within the main argumentation, hold a significant risk of being just an illusion of progress: a social regressive phenomenon in its enactment of unconscious fixations. Moreover, thought-provoking claims challenging the psychosocial institutions are delivered to unfold the ethical and political dynamics, particularly concerning psychoanalysis. The reader might find the role of the latter devalued in the critique engaged, in truth, the concluding argumentation is almost an ode to the practice by expressing the hope that by abandoning its tight conservative frame, such an essential tool of analysis will maintain its relevance in the 21st century. The conclusion of such an adventurous exploration will propose psychoanalysis as philosophy with a clinic.