The Origins and Organization of Unconscious Conflict provides a comprehensive set of contributions by Martin S. Bergmann to psychoanalytic theory, technique, and its applications. Following a general approach, Bergmann synthesizes Freud's major contributions, the development of his thinking, the ramifications to present day psychoanalytic theory and practice and finally, discusses unresolved problems requiring further work.

In these selected papers, profound meditations are offered on love and death, the leap from hysteria to dream interpretation in Freud's intellectual development, the genetic roots of Psychoanalysis in the creative clash between Enlightenment and Romantic ideas, old age as a clinical and theoretical phenomenon, the death instinct as clinical controversy, and the interminable debate about termination in psychoanalysis and how to effect it. Crucial clinical and theoretical questions are constantly addressed and the challenges they pose will engage and enlighten the reader. Bergmann was a philosopher of mind as much as he is a psychoanalyst and the range and scope of the ideas in these selected papers is impressive, instructive and illuminating.

Bergmann deals with psychoanalysis as a science, and with an ideology, referring to psychoanalysis as a "Weltanschauung", a philosophical basis for psychoanalytic theory. He presents an original, penetrating analysis of Freud's inner struggle, about empirical research, validation and related to five other sciences; about irrational forces that constitute major motivators of human life, and require taking an existential position regarding their implications, the search for the meaning of one's existence.

The Origins and Organization of Unconscious Conflict is an exciting intellectual journey of the scientific and ideological aspects of psychoanalysis and the study of love. It will appeal to psychoanalysts, psychologists, philosophers and both undergraduate and postgraduate students studying in these fields, as well as anyone with an interest in mental health and human behaviour.

About the Author

Martin S. Bergmann (1913-2014) was a Freudian psychoanalyst, author and educator. For many years he taught a course on the history of psychoanalysis in the postdoctoral program on psychoanalysis and psychotherapy at New York University and in private seminars. He was an honorary member of the American Psychoanalytic Association, an honorary fellow of the Post-Graduate Center for Mental Health, and a member of the International Psychoanalytic Association.

Reviews

From the preface by Dr. Otto Kernberg: "The present volume provides the reader with a wide ranging, comprehensive set of contributions by Martin Bergmann to major aspects of psychoanalytic theory, technique, and applications. Major subject matters include psychoanalytic technique, the scientific and ideological aspects of psychoanalysis, and the study of love. In all these fields, Bergmann follows a general strategic approach: first, he masterfully synthesizes Freud's major contributions to a certain area, the origin and development of his thinking, the ramifications to present day psychoanalytic theory and practice, and, finally, Bergmann's explanation of the nature of still unresolved problems that require further work. It is an exciting intellectual journey that fosters the reader's confrontation with problems of actuality regarding theory, technique and application of psychoanalysis. The present volume is a rich, stimulating book that combines an historical analysis of Freud's contributions with Bergmann's analysis of the roots of present day controversies and unresolved challenges for the psychoanalytic community. It is relevant for clinicians, theoreticians, and hopefully, a new generation of researchers as well."-Otto Kernberg, Director, Personality Disorders Institute, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Westchester Division; Professor of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University; Training and Supervising Analyst, Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research.

"In these selected papers of Martin Bergmann, profound meditations are offered on love and death, the leap from hysteria to dream interpretation in Freud's intellectual development, the genetic roots of psychoanalysis in the creative clash between Enlightenment and Romantic ideas, old age as a clinical and theoretical phenomenon, the death instinct as clinical conundrum and controversy, and the interminable debate about termination in psychoanalysis and how to effect it. Crucial clinical and theoretical questions are constantly addressed and the challenges they pose cannot but engage and enlighten the reader. Bergmann is a philosopher of mind as much as he is a psychoanalyst and the range and scope of the ideas in these selected papers is impressive, instructive and illuminating."-

Dr. Eugene Mahon, training and supervising analyst, Columbia Psychoanalytic Center for Training and Research and member of the Center for Advanced Psychoanalytic Studies in Princeton.

"This collection of selected papers on the history of psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic technique, and on love convey the depth and breadth of Martin Bergmann's contributions to psychoanalysis. His clarity of thought, his creativity, his joy in learning, and his love of a good idea and their application in his seminars, which were ongoing for 35 years, inspired a generation of learning psychoanalytic work in the group.

"-Marilyn LaMonica, MPS, NYS Licensed Psychoanalyst.



Book Information
ISBN 9781138941939
Author Martin S. Bergmann
Format Paperback
Page Count 220
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g