“Codice psichico” e “Codice giuridico”

Abstract

["Psychic Code" and "Legal Code"]

The paper analyses the similarities between the so-called “Psychic Code” and the “Legal Code”. In this perspective, the first Code – from which the second is derived – is owned and produced by the “Paternal function”, a symbolic and historical dimension which provides the “Law” to the children, giving prohibitions and limits of their mental processes, and conditioning the consequent behaviour. This educational model is internalised by taking the task and the role of “moral conscience” of the individual, psychodynamic organization that will guide the individual action, while providing for the penalty to the violations of the “Internal Rules” (guilt). This particular profile assumed by the “Psychic code” to the very common “Legal code”, a dimension that is organised and operates starting from the rules to which a community has adopted. If the main function of this dimension is law enforcement, and the possible sanction at the time of its transgression, it also assumes an important symbolic meaning. The period defined as “postmodern”, among other phenomena, also saw the disappearance of the “Father”, his symbolic dimension, his authority, his ability to impose rules. If the “Psychic Code” fades and loses credibility, even the “Legal Code” follows the same path, with negative consequences.