ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author understands metapsychology as the psychoanalytic study of the mind qua mind, i.e. the mind as such, not the mind of any one individual. At the same time it is important to remember that the internal landscape of each particular individual may vary to such an extent that no overarching description of the architecture of the mind might be possible or even desirable. The author considers the use of metapsychology as a navigational and heuristic tool to be of prime importance. While S. Freud's attempt to see mind and body as one indivisible unit is laudable, if one is willing to leave aside the obviously reductionistic aspect of his program, there is no question that mere biological metaphor cannot do the real work of bridging the gap in people's understanding of the interaction of mind and body.
