Post-vérité, un symptôme du lien social ?

Abstract

ObjectivesThis work attempts to understand, on a subjective and societal level, the psychic processes involved in the phenomenon of the emergence and proliferation of narrative constructions concerning the post-truth. MethodTaking into account the unconscious aspects that contribute to the construction of narratives and beliefs within human groups, and putting these theoretical milestones into perspective with the psychoanalytical concepts of psychic truth, construction, and the need to believe will lead us to problematize our conception of post-truth. ResultThe study of this phenomenon in the light of psychoanalytical conceptions of the delusional construction, the elaboration of religious beliefs, and constructions in analysis will lead us to understand the discursive regimes of post-truth as collective unconscious products that can give a form to nuclei of psychic truth that are not fully developed by the social. DiscussionThis interpretation of the conspiratorial phenomenon will allow us to take into account how these “alternative narratives” could solicit unconscious processes of the people who adhere to them, because the post-truth may represent a deformed and inappropriate way of expressing that which does not find a place of enunciation in shared discourses and narratives. ConclusionsAs a symptom in the social bond, this phenomenon questions the forms of failure of the work of culture and the crisis of the structures of shared meaning. This exploration reminds us of the necessity of thinking critically about our own constructions and paradigms.