The Freud-Klein Controversies, 1941-45 (The New Library of Psychoanalysis) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0415031702 ISBN 13: 9780415031707

Publisher: Routledge, 1990

Synopsis

Just after Freud's death in 1939 the British Psycho-Analytical Society was the setting for a fierce debate. Controversy erupted over the validity and status of the ideas introduced into psychoanalysis by Melanie Klein; to what extent did her ideas deviate from Freud's basic propositions and what should be done about it? Although the central disagreements were about theory and technical practice, power in the Psycho-Analytical Society and its future organizationn were also at stake, along with central questions about the diffusion and transmission of the discipline. To debate the controversies the Society held a series of scientific discussions, its training committee investigated the parameters of valid technique, and its officers considered the democratic structure of its organization. For this book the editors have had access to previously closed archive material and it is presented here for the first time with the minimum of censorship. This collection of papers, precis of discussion, minutes, resolutionns, and relevant aspects of the personal correspondence between the participants, provides the first definitive record of controversies which were to be repeated in different forms in psychoanalytic societies all over the world. It should be of interest to those concerned with the development of psychoanalysis and with understanding the process of scientific discovery in any field. Throughout the book the editors have incldued a series of commentaries and notes designed to provide a context for the documents, as well as brief biographical information about the major participants.

About this title

Review:

"A meticulously researched work of great importance." - Dr Harold Blum, Director of the Sigmund Freud Archives

"This book has been meticulously edited by King and Steiner, who both provide clear and helpful introductions to each section....no psychoanalytic library can be complete without it. It makes for exhaustive, exhausting and fascinating reading." - Noel Hess

"The publication of the "Discussions" is an event of special significance, for the issues considered are as alive today as they were at the time they took place." - Joseph Sandler, former Freud Memorial Professor of Psychoanalysis, University of London

"Steiner and King have performed and invaluable service by bringing these documents before the public, and their significance will not easily be exhausted by the readers who are sure to pore over them." - Peter Rudnytsky, London Review of Books

"Who would have thought a near thousand page archive could be so dramatic?....Its gripping power stems from the volume seizing on issues which, however buried, are still very much alive today. And for this its editors are to be congratulated for organising their material so well." - Janet Sayers, British Journal of Psychotherapy

"The most important document from post-Freudian psychoanalysis." - André Green, Member of the Paris Psychoanalytical Society and Honorary member of the British Psychoanalytic Society, UK

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0415031702
• ISBN 13: 9780415031707
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 992
• Editor: King Pearl, Steiner Riccardo