The Parting of the Ways: How Esoteric Judaism and Christianity Influenced the Psychoanalytic Theories of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung

by Richard Kradin

Overview

The Enlightenment signaled diminished popular reliance on the religious “cure of the soul,” and witnessed the emergence of psychoanalysis. From its inception, Freud’s psychoanalysis was accused of being a “Jewish science,” and he countered by including non-Jewish Swiss psychiatrists in his movement. Carl Jung eventually broke with Freud due to differences concerning psychoanalytical theory and practice. This text explores the religious underpinnings of psychoanalysis, contrasting the textual and mystical traditions of Judaism with those of Christianity. It convincingly demonstrates that differences in the fundamental tenets of Judaism and Christianity have had a profound and continued influence on psychoanalysis.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781618114228
Publisher:	Academic Studies Press
Publication date:	12/22/2015
Series:	Psychoanalysis and Jewish Life
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.63(d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vii

Preface viii

Introduction xi

Chapter 1 Sigmund Freud: "Godless Jew" 1

Chapter 2 Carl Gustav Jung: A Preacher's Son 17

Chapter 3 Anatomy of Psyche, Anatomy of Soul 28

Chapter 4 The Judeo-Christian Ethic 37

Chapter 5 Boundaries: Discerning What Is Holy from What is Profane 51

Chapter 6 Law and Spirit 59

Chapter 7 Mysticism: Word and Image 72

Chapter 8 God and the Unconscious 91

Chapter 9 Revelation and Psychoanalysis 112

Chapter 10 Eros and Sexuality 124

Chapter 11 The Symbolic Realm 134

Chapter 12 Dreams and Midrash 138

Chapter 13 Transference: Personal or Not? 147

Chapter 14 Trauma, Psychopathology, and Jewish Mysticism 151

Chapter 15 Obsessionality and Historical Traumas 161

Chapter 16 Master and Disciple 168

Chapter 17 Losing Oneself: Narcissism and Bitul 174

Chapter 18 Oedipus and Supersession 183

Chapter 19 Psychoanalysis and Altered States 191

Conclusion 195

Figure Legends 203

References 204

Index 220

Editorial Reviews

"Dr. Kradin's work represents a confluence of worlds and ideas. While addressing the religious roots of Jungian and Freudian thought, he takes us much further, into the depths of spiritual experience. Here we are reminded of Rabbi Heschel's words: 'I prayed for wonder.'"

Dr Michael Conforti

"Richard Kradin has taken on a great deal in this bringing together of religion and psychoanalysis, Freud and Jung, Jewish mysticism and contemporary theory. This is a learned and original contribution to the ongoing discussion of psychoanalytic thought against its religious and cultural backdrop. A very worthwhile and accessible treatment."

Art Green

"Dr. Kradin's work represents a confluence of worlds and ideas. While addressing the religious roots of Jungian and Freudian thought, he takes us much further, into the depths of spiritual experience. Here we are reminded of Rabbi Heschel's words: 'I prayed for wonder.'" Dr Michael Conforti, Jungian Analyst and Founder/Director of the Assisi Institute "Richard Kradin has taken on a great deal in this bringing together of religion and psychoanalysis, Freud and Jung, Jewish mysticism and contemporary theory. This is a learned and original contribution to the ongoing discussion of psychoanalytic thought against its religious and cultural backdrop. A very worthwhile and accessible treatment." Art Green, Rector, Irving Brudnick Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Hebrew College

From the Publisher