Anthony Storr, while discussing some of Freud’s theories, uses this metaphor of there being some wheat among the chaff, meaning that however inaccurate, or out right false, Freud’s many theories and beliefs might have been, there nonetheless remains some brilliant insight therein. Freud, as I come to think of him, must have been one of the most influential figures of twentieth century.
Storr likens him to Darwin, who streamlined the idea of evolution of species and proposed how man has descended from a line of chimpanzees; and to Karl Marx, who introduced communism has a governing model just for all where the conflict theory might finally find its resolve; Freud’s contribution to man’s awareness and understanding of the ‘unconscious’ and the ‘psychoanalysis’ as the treatment of various psychological illnesses, align with some of the most contributive discoveries and ideas to mankind as of late.
The field of psychology has become one of the most sought out subjects, to students, patients, and lay people alike. Mental pathologies are now considered just as real and treatment-worthy as the psychical illnesses. Depression, anxiety, trauma, these medical terms have now become commonly used words that we use in our daily conversations to explain what we are going through emotionally and mentally. Freud’s genius and achievement lies in unlocking a new part of mankind, which before him was vastly left ignored and was looked at with confusion rather than curiosity.
As I’ve discussed before in my reviews of Oxford’s VSI series of books, these books are the best way to get started on any subject, or personality, that might interest a reader. Quick, well-written, and with a guide of subject expert, the reader is sure to build a solid foundation of a subject by reading these books. A book from this series is capable of not only equipping the reader with enough understanding and know-how of the subject, but also spark an interest in them for further exploration, backed by its beautifully presented knowledge and insight.
For example, watching ‘The School of Life’ video on Sigmund Freud before and after reading this book was a considerably different viewing experience. Although simple and viewer-friendly as the videos from TSOL are, I nevertheless understood the video of Freud with much depth, authority, and elaborately after having read this book.
Divided into twelve chapters, this book authored by Storr gives the reader a precise yet comprehensive introduction to Freud and almost all of his theories about psychological illnesses and psychoanalysis as the practice for their cure. Storr’s prose is very readable and is great to facilitate the reader in understanding Freud himself, without getting in the way with its heady explanations. It is not a biography of Freud, for those wondering, but rather a summary of Freud’s major works that produced during his lifetime.
The first four chapters of this book explores the life of Freud; Freud’s ideas on trauma and its departure towards phantasy; his exploration of past, especially childhood, where all the causes for eventual neurosis and perversions might lie; and the introduction to psychoanalysis and its components ‘free association, dreams, and transference’.
Chapters five to eight talk about Freud’s theory of id, ego, superego (in correct order); his ideas on aggression, depression, and paranoia (fascinating); the concept of Freudian slips, jokes, and the psycho-pathology of everyday life; and his views on art and literature, reductive to his concepts of escapism.
The last four chapters include Freud’s work on culture and religion; his technique of therapy (interesting); psychoanalysis today; and the appeal of psychoanalysis.
While we may associate certain big ideas and achievements with single names only, these figures owe much of their fame to the quiet others who contributed greatly to their works. Storr makes sure that Freud’s credits aren’t only his, but also of those who helped him, whether directly or indirectly. Freud, as Storr mentions, is a historical figure now, and we criticize him for his shortcomings.
But now matter how much we pick on him for his limitations, biases, self-righteousness, and faulty theories, we nonetheless owe a great deal to his ingenious and revolutionary ideas about and into the unknown worlds of mankind.
Ratings: 4/5 **** September
30, 2022_