PMID: 11915129Mar 28, 2002Paper

Wittgenstein's personality and his relations with Freud's thought

The International Journal of Psycho-analysis
Mauro Mancia

Abstract

In this contribution the author examines the connections between Wittgenstein's personality and his attitude to Freud's psychoanalytic theories in the light of biographies of the philosopher, published exchanges of letters between him and his sisters, his 'secret' diaries from the time of the First World War, his diaries from the nineteen-thirties and the writings in which he discusses Freud and psychoanalysis. The paper quotes liberally from all these sources. Following an account of Wittgenstein's cultural and family background in Vienna and his subsequent peripatetic life, hypotheses are presented concerning his personality, sexuality and 'internal' theology, together with some ideas about his relationship with his family (in particular, his parents and sisters) and his critique of Freud's theories, with particular reference to dreams and their interpretation. Wittgenstein emerges as a highly original philosopher who is, however, emotionally disturbed and restless. His personality is found to have narcissistic aspects that moulded his behaviour and thought, and the author contends that his mental suffering caused him to apply psychological and psychoanalytic categories to his philosophy.

References

Nov 1, 1991·The British Journal of Clinical Psychology·M Power, C R Brewin
Jan 30, 1990·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·M Monk
Dec 1, 1973·The Biochemical Journal·B Dean, W Bartley
Jul 5, 2007·Journal of Lipid Research·Barbara P AtshavesFriedhelm Schroeder
Jul 9, 2010·Psychoanalytic Review·Joyce Piell Wexler

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Citations

Sep 26, 2006·The International Journal of Psycho-analysis·Marianne Leuzinger-BohleberUNKNOWN Research Subcommittee for conceptual research of the International psychoanalytical association

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