"I started my professional activity as a neurologist, trying to bring relief to my neurotic patients. Under the influence of an old friend, and by my own efforts, I discovered some important new facts about the unconscious in psychic life, the role of instinctual urges, and so on. Out of these findings grew a new science, psychoanalysis, a part of psychology, and a new method of treatment of the neurosis. I had to pay heavily for this bit of good luck. People did not believe in my facts and thought my theories unsavory. Resistance was strong and unrelenting. In the end, I succeeded in acquiring pupils and building up an international psychoanalytic association. But the struggle is not yet over. Sigmund Freud."
Thank you for posting this video, it is wonderful to hear Freud's voice. It is remarkable how much influence Freud has had on the human species whether we aregee with his theories or not. I must say that I thunk some are unduely critical of Freud; none of us seem to criticise Alexander Graham Bell for not inventing the i-phone or the Wright brothers for not inventing concord, Many of Freud's theories remain compelling and his influence on psychology and psychiatry has been immense.
I would say that he was speaking sincerely and frankly. He was indeed a neurologist, he tried to bring relief to neurotic patients, he did have an older friend (Breuer) and did discover some important new facts about psychic life. Psychoanalysis did grow out of those findings and was and is a part of psychology. It was a new treatment for neuroses. Freud did pay heavily for his theories and there was and is resistance to his theories.
like him or love him Freud made a significant contribution towards humanity - his case studies are among some of the most interesting and insightful pieces of literature, still influencing us. Arrogant? - consider the time in which he lived. Context should not be left out - his theories, like all theories, have been built upon and refined, and do influence modern 'evidenced based' psychotherapy. Just look up MBT for borderline patients
Dr Freud could speak with arrogance as he thought he lived in a age not requiring proof at all and rather personal experience or relating as reliable feedback.
Has he proven he succeeded?
Do we know his interpretation of dreams is valid?
How about any of his other theories?
Has he proven he succeeded?
Do we know his interpretation of dreams is valid?
How about any of his other theories?