The 2025 LACK Conference, held at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, from March 13-15, brought together approximately 300 theorists and scholars interested in psychoanalytic theory and its intersections with philosophy, politics, and contemporary culture. Founded in 2015, LACK has historically focused on the works of Freud and Lacan. This year's conference featured the renowned philosopher Slavoj Žižek as the keynote speaker, and participants explored a wide range of topics related to Lacanian theory.
LACK is dedicated to promoting and developing Lacanian psychoanalytic theory and German Idealism. The conference provided a platform for scholars and theorists to delve into these complex and intriguing areas of study.
Peter Kline's Contributions
Peter Kline, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at St Francis College, attended the conference and presented a paper. Kline's attendance was supported by grants from the John Templeton Foundation and the University of Divinity,
Kline delivered a talk on the intersection of psychology and theology, driven by his fascination with the universal nature of human spirituality. He explored questions about why humans across cultures exhibit religious or spiritual tendencies and acknowledges that there is no single answer to this complex phenomenon.
Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Human Development
From a psychoanalytic perspective, human development progresses from infancy to adulthood, with each stage marked by unique challenges and interactions. Infants rely on adult interaction for survival, and their development is heavily influenced by cultural factors. As children grow, they must navigate the complexities of the adult world, which they cannot fully comprehend.
Adults, unlike infants, are sexual beings and must manage the tensions that arise from this aspect of their psychic life. . Inevitably, children are exposed to the psychic conflicts of the adults on whom they depend, conflicts which are overwhelming and difficult to understand. Struggling to metabolize the adult world is what leads to the formation of “the unconscious.”
The Role of the Unconscious
One of the key concepts in psychoanalytic theory is the unconscious, which we do not have full access to. Infants and children are bombarded with stimuli from the adult world, leading to enigmatic experiences that shape their development. This "splinter underneath the skin," as theorist Jean Laplanche calls it, is an irritating foreign body implanted by the adult world, which drives human beings to generate narratives, myths, symbols, and identities as a way of managing “the other within.”
Symbolization and Coping with the Enigmatic
In the face of the enigmatic, humans use symbolization to make sense of their experiences and protect themselves from the unknown. Childhood experiences of the enigmatic adult world, which we can never fully grasp, continue to influence us throughout our lives.
Religion is one-way humans attempt to relate to the enigmatic, allowing them to symbolize and narrate the unexplainable on both personal and collective levels. The concept of God as a Father figure, both reassuring and enigmatic, exemplifies this relationship. Similarly, Jesus can be understood as the enigma of God made flesh. His life embodies a loving embrace of the "splinter" within us, representing our deepest pains and exclusions, there is thus a profound connection between the enigmatic and the spiritual.
Embracing the Enigmatic
Understanding the nature of being alive and the function of the enigmatic can be daunting. However, learning to be creative with these experiences helps individuals navigate the complexities of life. The 2025 LACK Conference provided a valuable opportunity for scholars to explore these themes and contribute to the ongoing dialogue in psychoanalytic theory and its intersections with other disciplines.
The Takeaway from Peter Kline's Talk
Peter Kline's talk underscored the importance of accepting and understanding the "splinter" within ourselves and others. This metaphorical splinter, representing the enigmatic and often painful experiences from childhood, shapes who we are as adults. By accepting this splinter, we can better understand our own nature and help others navigate their own challenges.
Kline's work highlights the need to form communities that do not exclude or cover over the splinters in others. He emphasizes that we can only truly love God by loving the splinter within ourselves and others. This approach fosters a more inclusive and compassionate society, where individuals are supported in their journey to understand and cope with the enigmatic aspects of life.
Kline's paper, currently under review, delves deeper into these themes. Those interested in his work are encouraged to contact him for more information. The 2025 LACK Conference was vital forum for advancing the understanding of psychoanalytic theory and its relevance to contemporary issues.
References
Interview with Jean Laplanche: https://www.radicalphilosophy.com/interview/jean-laplanche-the-other-within-rethinking-psychoanalysis
Peter Kline’s published essay on Kierkegaard and Laplanche: https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/nzsth-2024-0027/html
About Peter Kline
Peter teaches units on mysticism, ecotheology, disability theology, and the trinity. He is open to enquiries for supervision from prospective doctoral and minor thesis students in any area of theological studies. He has previously supervised theses on feminist theology, trauma, and the arts.
To contact Peter - Peter Kline — Saint Francis College