The Discovery of the Unconscious
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Founder | Henri F. Ellenberger |
| Products | Non-fiction book |
The Discovery of the Unconscious: The History and Evolution of Dynamic Psychiatry is a 1970 publication authored by Swiss medical historian Henri F. Ellenberger. This work delves into the historical development of dynamic psychiatry, highlighting influential figures such as Franz Anton Mesmer, Sigmund Freud, Pierre Janet, Alfred Adler, and Carl Jung. Initially released in the United States by Basic Books, the book has attained classic status, recognized for reshaping perceptions of Freud's originality and fostering critical examination of psychoanalysis' scientific foundations.
Summary
In this study, Ellenberger outlines the progression of dynamic psychiatry by examining seminal contributors including Mesmer, Freud (the originator of psychoanalysis), Janet, Adler, and Jung. He investigates their individual characteristics, social milieus, and notable patients, thereby contextualizing their professional achievements.
Publication history
The Discovery of the Unconscious first appeared in print through Basic Books in 1970.
Reception
Ellenberger's most acclaimed work, this book has been described by psychologist Frank Sulloway as an "impressively erudite if also much-disputed" analysis that challenges overstated assertions regarding Freud. Psychoanalyst Joel Kovel acknowledged its encyclopedic nature while expressing reservations about its critical rigor.
Psychologist Hans Eysenck referred to it as a "classic" text that dispels numerous misconceptions about Freud. Critic Frederick Crews emphasized the book’s significance in portraying psychoanalysis as a derivative branch of 19th-century psychiatry and lauded Ellenberger’s biographical treatment of Freud for setting a scholarly benchmark and prompting reconsideration of psychoanalysis' scientific merit.
Historian Peter Gay praised the thoroughness and breadth of research despite Ellenberger’s skeptical approach toward Freud. Psychiatrist Anthony Stevens applied Ellenberger’s idea of "creative illness" in his Jungian interpretations. Historian Paul Robinson credited the book with laying groundwork for critical reassessments of Freud during the 1980s. Science historian Roger Smith described it as a "magisterial – and readable – historical study." Psychologist Louis Breger valued how it situated Freud within a broader context alongside discussions on Adler, Jung, and Janet. Philosophers Mikkel Borch-Jacobsen and Sonu Shamdasani hailed it as a "monumental work."
See also
Bibliography
- Books
- Journals
External links
- Preview at Google Books