Why Did Freud Reject God?: A Psychodynamic Interpretation

ISBN: 0300075251

Author: Rizzuto, Ana-Mar

Condition: New

In this book a widely recognized authority on religion and psychoanalysis takes a fascinating journey into Freuds past to examine the roots of his atheism. Dr. Ana-María Rizzuto reviews and reorganizes data about Freuds development and life circumstances to provide a psychodynamic interpretation of his rejection of God. She argues that Freuds early life and family relationships made it psychically impossible for him to believe in a provident and caring divine being.The book traces significant aspects of Freuds relationship with his father and mother, his childhood nanny, and other relatives and outlines his religious evolution from somewhat conventional beliefs as a young boy to adult unbelief. Dr. Rizzuto presents significant new details about the Philippson Bible-a copy of which Freuds father presented to Sigmund on his thirty-fifth birthday-and shows how the illustrations in that edition related to Freuds passion for collecting antiquities. The book brings to light critical aspects of Freuds early and late object relations and their lasting impact on his rejection of God.