Spionaggio! Note per una Psicologia della Menzogna

Edited by Stefano Caracciolo Fictions, disguises, and lies from Mata Hari to Donald Trump, via Alighiero Noschese. The final meeting of the 19th year of Anatomie della Mente proposes a rereading of the history of espionage from its origins to the contemporary era, integrating historical analysis with a psychoanalytic exploration of the subjective dynamics implicated in intelligence practices. The objective is twofold: on the one hand, to reconstruct the institutional, technical, and geopolitical transformations of espionage; on the other, to explore the psychological and symbolic dimensions that characterize the figure of the spy, with particular reference to the processes of disguise, lies, and double-crossing. From the earliest forms of state organization, espionage has been seen as a practice essential to the survival and expansion of political power. In ancient civilizations, the use of spies was systematized and theorized, as demonstrated by the testimonies of ancient historians (Herodotus, Thucydides, Livy) and Sun Tzu's treatise on the Art of War, which identifies deception as a structural principle of warfare. In these early configurations, a significant psychological dimension already emerges: the spy is a subject who operates in dissimulation, embodying a tension between real and represented identity. With the rise of modern states, espionage became institutionalized and professionalized, assuming increasingly complex organizational forms. The Italian maritime republics, particularly Venice 'La Serenissima', developed sophisticated information networks, while the modern age introduced a political legitimacy of deception through the doctrine of raison d'état. This evolution entailed a transformation of lying from a marginal practice to a systematic instrument of government, with significant ethical and psychological consequences. The 20th century marked the peak of espionage, with the emergence of highly structured intelligence apparatuses and the spread of a culture of secrecy on a global scale. In this context, the figure of the spy takes on a symbolic centrality that is reflected in literary and cinematic production. Authors Graham Greene and Ian Fleming offer contrasting representations of the spy's subjectivity: while Greene emphasizes moral ambiguity and identity crisis, Fleming constructs an idealized and narcissistic model embodied by James Bond. But reality often surpasses fantasy, as we will see in the case of Mata Hari. From a psychoanalytic perspective, espionage can be interpreted as a device that stages fundamental dynamics of subjectivity. Disguise, for example, is not merely an operational technique, but a form of identification that involves the temporary assumption of another identity. This process can generate phenomena of dissociation and identity confusion, especially when prolonged. Lying, a constitutive element of espionage, can take on an existential dimension, transforming into a stable mode of relating to the world. The spy-subject lives in a constructed reality, in which the distinction between true and false is constantly negotiated. Double-crossing represents the most extreme form of this dynamic. In the contemporary context, espionage is profoundly transformed by the development of digital technologies. Cyber ​​intelligence and mass surveillance introduce new ways of gathering and analyzing information, seemingly diminishing the role of the individual. However, the psychological dimensions of espionage remain central, especially in the manipulation of perceptions and the construction of narratives. So-called hybrid wars highlight how the battle for control of information is also a battle for control of collective psychic reality. Espionage, beyond its technical and strategic dimension, therefore represents a privileged form of behavior for interrogating the nature of human identity. The figure of the spy, suspended between authenticity and fiction, between loyalty and betrayal, reveals the complexity and fragility of human beings. In this sense, the integration of historical perspective and psychoanalytic approach allows us to grasp espionage as a comprehensive phenomenon, capable of illuminating the profound tensions that permeate the relationship between the individual, society, and power. Psychology Thursdays Lecture Series - Year XIX, Sixth Thursday