Psychoanalysis and the Self: Sigmund Freud's Influence in 19th Century Philosophy and Science
Nineteenth century thinking was characterized by the emergence of tworevolutionary ideologies that influenced the course of human history forthe succeeding centuries: Karl Marx's conflict theory and Sigmund Freud'smethod of psychoanalysis in psychology. Marx's analysis of the politicaleconomy of the capitalist system led to the development of the Socialistmovement. Freud's psychoanalytical theory, meanwhile, emphasized thepursuit for self-knowledge and individuality as the key towards personal This paper gives focus on the life of Sigmund Freud, mainly becauseof his significant contribution towards establishing the kind ofcontemporary society prevalent in Western societies-that is, anindividualist society, wherein the pursuit of self-knowledge led to social Born in the Czech Republic in 1856, Sigmund Freud had led the life ofa true scientist and academician. Educated at Vienna University, Freud hadearlier planned to pursue a career as a lawyer, although he decided topursue medicine instead (also at Vienna University) in 1873. As a medicalstudent, he expressed interest in the study of natural sciences, undergoing
uman biology, particularly neurological research, andremained for six years at the University to obtain his medical degree (theadditional three years was spent on conducting extended neurologicalresearch work). Apparently, this is one of the most important contribution that Freud hasgiven to Western civilization, not only in the field of medical and socialscience, but also in the arts, philosophy, religion, literature, history,and mythology (Gilman, 1994:ix). Freud discusses how the individual is divided and in conflict with theUnconscious Self, as people tend to be more aware of their consciousselves. In effect, what emerges in psychoanalysis are concepts of "I"and the self-self-knowledge resulting from within the psyche of theindividual, and as ascertained by external factors (e. According to Levine (1999), psychoanalysis seeks to arrive at thefollowing "truths" concerning human nature: (1) only the psychoanalyticmethod of interpretation and treatment can yield or mediate for the patientthe correct insight into the unconscious causes of his neuroses and (2) thepatient's correct insight into the conflictual cause of his condition andinto the unconscious dynamics of his character is in turn causallynecessary for the durable cure of his neuroses (3). In effect, Freudillustrates how through dream experiences, the Unconscious is confronted bythe individual. " In effect, "The Interpretation of Dreams" is just one illustration ofFreud's vision of the future of the prevalent ideology and philosophy insociety today-that is, the pursuit and expression of individualism. This passage illustrates how dreams act as mirrors orreflections of the other part of the whole, or the individual. the great waste-paper basket of the mind-the trash that never gets taken out" (4). " Psychoanalysis, as a field of study in psychology, provides a newavenue for individuals to understanding the self in the context of theindividual's personal history-everything that concerns his/her life as achild towards his/her development as an adult. be assumed to be thegeneral basis of the life of the psyche.
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