Psychiatry and psychoanalysis are both very important aspects of human psychology and there is much controversy surrounding the relationship between the two fields. These books discuss some of the main issues that have been discussed. Hopefully it will provide some useful information for students and professionals looking to further their education in this area.
Freud by Jonathan Lear
Using Freud’s oeuvre as a starting point, Lear covers Freud’s key concepts. He explores Freud’s theory of the mind, its structure and the psychology of emotion. The book is intended for psychoanalysts and clinical practitioners. The book is part of the Routledge Philosophers series.
It is not a comprehensive discussion of Freud’s work. It is a useful base-camp for further explorations of the human mind. As such, it’s a useful resource for anyone interested in Freud’s insights and their place in contemporary society. It’s also a fun read. Its conclusions are only tentative conjectures.
Lear’s most impressive feat is to bring Freud’s most intriguing theories to light. While Freud is often credited with being the first to propose the idea of a psyche, he wasn’t the first to describe the structure of a psyche. In his heyday, Freud was known to boast a bevy of insightful conclusions about the human psyche. While his conclusions have been corrected by later psychoanalysts, his insights are still valued and useful today. Nevertheless, Lear’s magnum opus is the best introduction to Freud’s work.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Psychiatry and psychoanalysis are linked in a number of ways. One of the most prominent of these is a theory by Sigmund Freud. He developed a theory which has become an essential part of our understanding of Shakespeare. This theory is an essential tool for revealing the true intimacies of the Shakespearean psyche.
The theory is based on the oedipal theory. It explains the relationship between need, demand, and desire. It also elaborates on the relation between the signifier and the desire of a sign. This book discusses the theory in a concise and lucid way. It provides clear definitions of a number of confusing terminology.
It is an enlightening read, full of wit and earnestness. It provides a succinct introduction to key developments in psychoanalytic theory. It also covers the critical tradition of Shakespeare and shows how it has influenced the way we think about the play.
The book also outlines the evolution of different schools of psychoanalysis. It discusses the emergence of various theories and how they converge. It includes a chronological survey of the major critics who have applied psychoanalysis to Shakespeare.
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
During the early 20th century, the American South was undergoing a period of major change. In the absence of slavery, the South was redefining itself. However, some Southern families clung to traditions such as the concept of virginity and a desire for purity. These concepts became an obstacle for many families to embrace the new world.
In The Sound and the Fury, William Faulkner explores how the dissolution of an aristocratic Southern family affects the lives of its members. The novel deals with issues such as the legacy of slavery, a changing family structure, and the dissolution of religious values.
The novel is divided into four sections, each of which has its own distinct style. Each section is written from a different point of view. This technique allows Faulkner to show the same events from multiple viewpoints.
The first part of the novel is narrated by Benjy Compson, who describes memories from a range of past events as if they are happening in the present. This is a unique technique. It distorts the sense of time, as Benjy’s disability means that he does not recognize the passage of time.
The History of Sexuality Part One by Michel Fouca
During the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, Michel Foucault wrote a series of books titled The History of Sexuality. The series is a critical examination of the way that modern society has repressed sexuality. These works were largely intended as an extension of his earlier book, Discipline and Punish.
The books, published between 1976 and 1984, challenge the idea that Western civilization repressed sexuality from the seventeenth to mid-twentieth century. They also show how power has impacted sexuality.
Foucault argues that the modern sphere of knowledge on sexuality is largely associated with power structures. He argues that this fact makes it a prime candidate for genealogical analysis.
He explains that modern control of sexuality parallels modern control of criminality. The two are not simply repressive, but also instrumental in shaping the way that individuals and populations are regulated. He identifies ways that children are molded by parental and judicial institutions in order to conform to the expectations of the population.
According to the repressive hypothesis, sex outside marriage is considered forbidden. It is believed that during the nineteenth century, illegitimate sexuality was pushed out of society.
Freud Biologist of the Mind by Frank J Sulloway
Sigmund Freud was a notable contributor to psychology and the scientific and technological fields in general. For instance, he is known as the father of psychoanalysis and for the most part is not viewed as a villain, even in the post-Holocaust era.
Despite the controversy surrounding Freud and his progeny, there are many fascinating aspects of their lives that have been lost in the shuffle. Sulloway reveals one of Freud’s greatest hits, Wilhelm Fliess, in a much more nuanced light. In fact, the man may have been the tiniest of all time, if his aforementioned tyrant had not stomped him out of the building.
Amongst other tidbits, Sulloway demonstrates that Freud was also a bona fide biologist. The best part is, he actually enjoyed his science experiments. The results were phlogistically impressive. Indeed, he was the first person to publish an article about his work in Nature, the most prestigious journal in the field. Interestingly, it took him almost a quarter century to write.
Sulloway also uncovered a few lesser known (and occult) Freudian gems. In short, this is a must read.
Portnoys Complaint by Philip Roth
Originally published in 1969, Portnoys Complaint by Philip Roth is considered a masterpiece of the English language. It explores the sexual, ethical, and identity issues of the post-World War II period. It is a novel that is written in the style of a 1960s standup comedian. It is about a young Jewish lawyer named Alexander Portnoy.
The book is about a Jewish lawyer in Newark, New Jersey, who becomes obsessed with sex. He also tries to seduce a Lady Kibbutznik. This is a story of guilt and shame. It was adapted as a film in 1972. This book is full of sexual frankness. It deals with masturbation, fetishism, and other sex issues.
Portnoy’s Complaint is written in a style that is similar to that of standup comedian Lenny Bruce. The reader gets a continuous monologue from the main character, Alex Portnoy. The narrative goes from confession to stream of consciousness.
Roth’s Portnoy is a sick man. He is a victim of his mother’s addiction. He blames her for his sexual digressions. He is an athletic masturbator in his boyhood. He also describes neuroses to his therapist. Eventually, Portnoy finds himself impotent and commits a ritual slaughter in Israel.
The Emergence of Sexuality by Arnold Davidson
Davidson’s magnum opus is a collection of essays spanning the period from Michel Foucault to Bachelard. His contributions demonstrate rigorous application of Foucault’s principles of ‘archaeology’. His appendix, in particular, is more useful than many books on Foucault.
The Emergence of Sexuality by Arnold Davidson is not a slam dunk. It’s a good read, but a bit of a drag to carry around. Its most impressive feat is to demonstrate that there’s more to Foucault’s contribution than a few grandiose claims.
Davidson’s book is a worthwhile read for those seeking a historical perspective on sexuality. Unlike most of his antecedents, Davidson does not take Foucault’s work at face value. In fact, he argues that there’s a need for an “anti-Foucault” in the realm of sexuality. He makes a case for homophobia through the study of Christ’s sex and psychiatric reasoning.
The book’s most impressive achievement is to make the case that the history of concepts is more complex than you might imagine. The book also offers the first rigorous attempt to ascribe a “function” to the “moo” in Foucault’s oeuvre.