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The Road to Unity in Psychoanalytic Theory

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Written by Leo Rangell, M.D., former president of both the American and the International Psychoanalytic Associations, The Road to Unity in Psychoanalytic Theory is an examination of how psychoanalytic theory has evolved in the twentieth century. In particular, The Road to Unity in Psychoanalytic Theory asserts that the science driving psychoanalytical theory peaked in the latter third of the twentieth century, and since then theoretical fragmentation has contributed to the decline of the discipline. Chapters discuss problems that lay analysis and medical analysis have caused, muddling psychoanalytic theory's groundwork with insufficient coherence and consistency. "Considering how regularly alternative psychoanalytic theories are built upon ideational fallacies and logical flaws, failing to take into account their continuing relationships to aspects of the previous theory they purportedly accept, it is striking how rare have been attempts at scientific reparation or efforts at retention of consistency and intellectual unity." The Road to Unity in Psychoanalysis is written in fairly technical language, and dares to tackle the truly big questions in psychoanalysis, concerning the most fundamental aspects of the scientific theory underpinning the medical psychology of helping people. Highly recommended, especially for professionals in the field.