Nineteenth century thinking was characterized by the emergence of two
             revolutionary ideologies that influenced the course of human history for
             the succeeding centuries: Karl Marx's conflict theory and Sigmund Freud's
             method of psychoanalysis in psychology. Marx's analysis of the political
             economy of the capitalist system led to the development of the Socialist
             movement. Freud's psychoanalytical theory, meanwhile, emphasized the
             pursuit for self-knowledge and individuality as the key towards personal
             This paper gives focus on the life of Sigmund Freud, mainly because
             of his significant contribution towards establishing the kind of
             contemporary society prevalent in Western societiesâ€"that is, an
             individualist society, wherein the pursuit of self-knowledge led to social
             Born in the Czech Republic in 1856, Sigmund Freud had led the life of
             a true scientist and academician. Educated at Vienna University, Freud had
             earlier planned to pursue a career as a lawyer, although he decided to
             pursue medicine instead (also at Vienna University) in 1873. As a medical
             student, he expressed interest in the study of natural sciences, undergoing
             research work on human biology, particularly neurological research, and
             remained for six years at the University to obtain his medical degree (the
             additional three years was spent on conducting extended neurological
             research work). After obtaining his medical degree, Freud practiced at the
             General Hospital of Vienna. In 1885, he left his post as a doctor in the
             hospital to accept work as a lecturer in Vienna University. It was in this
             year that Freud went to Paris to be under Jean Charcot's guidance in
             pursuing his studies in neurology. Under Charcot, he experienced working
             on nervous diseases, particularly hysteria (Microsoft Encarta 2002).
             A year after he finished his studies under Charcot in Paris, Freud
             began p...