Freud verbatim

The biography of Sigmund Freud, perhaps more than that of any other figure in Viennese intellectual life around 1900, reveals a strikingly disparate amalgamation of traditions, mentalities, worldviews and scientific methods. Despite the intense opposition encountered by many of his ideas, the writings and statements of this first „explorer of the unconscious“ exerted an irresistibly stimulating effect on contemporary thought. As the founder of psychoanalysis - and the creator of such commonly used terms as ego, superego and id - Freud has had a huge impact around the world. This collection of quotes, maxims, prophecies, warnings, observations and witticisms sketches the profile of a manyfaceted personality, whose interests were wide ranging. Their scope stretches from politics and polemics to religion, interpersonal relationships and humour, all of which has been distilled from Freud's numerous writings. The reader encounters a fascinating spectrum of opinions and positions, from which the contours of his personality and nature emerge. Many of his remarks reflect the issues of the times and define his standpoint before the backdrop of cultural history, but many others have lost none of their brilliant timelessness, which goes far beyond intellectual positioning. In addition to assembling passages from Freud's major works, this collection also makes use of sources that do not belong to the canon of his published writings. His letters, in particular, are a rich font of personal information and amusing quips. Published correspondences edited by Jeffrey Moussaieff Mason, Ernst and Lucie Freud, William McGuire, Walter Boehlich, Eva Brabant, Albrecht Hirschmüller and Michael Schröter have provided much material. This volume owes many of its most memorable passages to the fruits of their labour. Organized into ten thematic chapters, this compilation of aphorisms and quotations provides a representative look into Freud's work, which any reader can quickly begin to explore. Thus the quote, by its nature only a part, nonetheless speaks for the whole.