The Road to Unity in Psychoanalytic Theory (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Oring uses psychoanalytic methods of interpretation and his detective work is uncanny. His novel approach yields a devastating, original portrait of Freud, rich in startling insights. -- Publishers Weekly

The author writes in a highly sophisticated yet lucid and readable style.... An interesting investigation of a relatively little studied aspect of Freud's life that ought to have appeal not only in relation to Freud's life but as a prototypical study of Jewish identity. -- Library Journal --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Description

The Jokes of Sigmund Freud unravels the intimate connections between Sigmund Freud and his Jewish identity. Author Elliott Oring observes that Freud frequently identified with the characters in the jokes he told, and that there was a strong relationship between these jokes and his own psychological and social state. This analysis offers novel insights into the enigmatic character of Freud and a fresh perspective on the nature of the science that he founded. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Jason Aronson (December 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765704285
• ISBN-13: 978-0765704283
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, especially for professionals in the field., August 6, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Road to Unity in Psychoanalytic Theory (Hardcover)

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.