Embracing the Random in the Self-Organizing Psyche

The history of the idea of randomness in the Nineteenth Century is presented as a backdrop to Freud's understanding of randomness in the psyche. Next, the role of the random event in nonlinear dynamical systems theory is discussed. Then, a revision of the traditional psychoanalytic view of the synthetic function of the ego is proposed based on the process of self-organization in which random elements are utilized in the emergence of new systemic structures. A theory of dreaming is elaborated which transcends the traditional dichotomy of dreams as either random events or meaningful psychological contents. Finally, remarks about psychoanalytic treatment as a process of self-organizing incorporation of the random are offered.