The Foundations of Psychoanalysis: A Philosophical Critique

Adolf Grünbaum's book was clearly not understood (or even read) by the other reviewer; it is *not* an "overview" or "companion" to Freud--it is an annihilation of Freudian thought, from the unconscious up, so to speak. This is one of the works I was reading when I decided to drop out of a doctorate program in English Literature, so--be warned!--I most likely have a few axes to grind. I had never heard of Grünbaum in the context of the many classes I had taken where I was forced to (uncritically) read Freud's various works . . . usually with a "post-structuralist" spin of some sort. There's a reason for this: Grünbaum exposes Freud as a conscious or unconscious pseudo-intellectual and charlatan. Moreover, he helps build several perspectives which call all of the "Tel Quel" sort of so-called "theory" into complete question. As devastating as Grünbaum is with regard to the master, however, he does give Freud the credit for having a (flawed) justification for his approach: the "tally argument" with two premises: (1) Only psychoanalytic interpretation and treatment can yield correct insight into the unconscious causes of a patient's neurosis. (2) Only the patient's correct insight into the unconscious causes of the patient's neurosis can cause a durable cure of this neurosis. As several have pointed out, following Grünbaum, this reduces to: (3) IF Cure, THEN Psychoanalysis. (4) NOT Psychoanalysis. ____________________________________ (5) NOT Cure. In other words, the "tally argument" merely begs the question. When all is said and done, as Grünbaum goes on to argue in later works, psychoanalysis is nothing more than a placebo. If critical insight and intellectual rigor are important to you, this is a good book to add to your library.

Anyone studying psychology whether it be as a concentration, a minor or as a major should read this book. The material isn't the most exciting but it's the point gets across. It helps in classes even when the book isn't offered. I definatley appreciate Freuds view and enjoy learning how to interpret the world through his vision.