Radical Claims in Freudian Psychoanalysis: Point/Counterpoint

Edited by M. Andrew Holowchak, this collection features pro and con essays on some of the most extreme Freudian claims, including the Freudian unconscious and the Oedipus complex. Holowchak gathers writings from critical scholars in psychology and philosophy who have distinguished themselves through prior publications.

This edited collection comprises six parts that address the topics—the Oedipus complex, dreams and wish-fulfillment, religion as an illusion, free association, the Freudian unconscious, and Freudian psychoanalysis as a Weltanschauung—in pro/con essay format. The format allows for a close examination of contentious issues from multiple viewpoints, enabling readers to see that there are often wide differences of opinion on these issues, thereby providing a broader perspective for critical engagement. Moreover, by addressing some of Freud’s most radical claims, this collection demonstrates that even these claims are still taken very seriously by prominent scholars.