Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, revolutionizing the understanding of the unconscious mind. His theories, outlined in works like The Interpretation of Dreams and Beyond the Pleasure Principle, introduced key concepts such as the id, ego, superego, repression, and the Oedipus complex. While not an occultist, Freud’s exploration of the unconscious, dreams, and hidden desires influenced later esoteric thinkers, including Carl Jung, who integrated mystical and symbolic elements into psychology. Freud remained skeptical of religion and the supernatural, viewing them as psychological constructs rooted in human fears and desires.
The Ego and the ID - Sigmund Freud
Introduces his structural model of the psyche, dividing it into the id, ego, and superego. He explores the role of the unconscious and how the ego mediates between primal desires (id) and social expectations (superego).
The Interpretation of Dreams - Sigmund Freud
Introduces his theory that dreams are expressions of unconscious desires, conflicts, and repressed memories. He explains the Oedipus complex, the concept of dream symbolism, and the role of wish fulfillment.
Beyond the Pleasure Principle - Sigmund Freud
Freud expands his theories on human motivation by introducing the concept of the death drive (Thanatos), which opposes the pleasure-seeking life instincts (Eros). He suggests that human behavior is not solely driven by pleasure but also by a compulsion to repeat traumatic experiences.
The Letters of Sigmund Freud & Arnold Zweig
A collection of Freud’s correspondence with Arnold Zweig, a German-Jewish writer. Their letters, spanning from 1927 to 1939, reveal Freud’s thoughts on psychoanalysis, Jewish identity, the political turmoil of Europe, and his personal struggles. The exchange provides deep insight into Freud’s intellectual and emotional world.
Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego
This work applies psychoanalysis to mass behavior, exploring how individuals behave differently in groups compared to when they are alone. Freud builds on Gustave Le Bon’s crowd theory and argues that identification with a leader or collective superego shapes mass psychology.
Delusion and Dream - Sigmund Freud
Freud analyzes Wilhelm Jensen’s novella Gradiva and uses it as a case study to demonstrate psychoanalytic interpretation of dreams, repression, and neurosis. He argues that the protagonist’s visions and obsessions are shaped by unconscious desires and suppressed childhood memories.
Moses & Monotheism - Sigmund Freud
Moses and Monotheism argues that Moses was not Hebrew but an Egyptian noble who introduced monotheism to the Israelites. Freud suggests that Moses was murdered by his followers and that guilt over this act influenced Jewish religious development. The book blends psychoanalysis, anthropology, and biblical criticism
The Future of an Illusion - Sigmund Freud
Critiques religion as a psychological construct, arguing that religious belief is rooted in humanity’s deep-seated need for security and paternal protection. He describes religion as an illusion—one that provides comfort but hinders intellectual progress.
Psychoanalysis and Faith - Sigmund Freud
Explores the tension between psychoanalysis and religion. While Freud remained critical of religious belief, Pfister attempted to reconcile psychoanalysis with faith. Their correspondence reveals deep intellectual exchanges on morality, human suffering, and psychology.