The discovery of the unconscious

About “The discovery of the unconscious”

Henri Ellenberger's book examines the history of dynamic psychiatry and the early development of psychology. It covers key figures such as Franz Anton Mesmer, Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, and Pierre Janet. The work is recognized as a classic and has challenged the belief in Freud's originality, prompting scholars to reevaluate the scientific basis of psychoanalysis. Some critics have questioned the reliability of Ellenberger's interpretations. He argues that Freud was influenced by earlier writers, particularly Janet, and that psychoanalysis and analytical psychology can be seen as forms of hermeneutics. Ellenberger also traces Freud's ideas to the Protestant practice of Seelsorge, which shifted the concept of confession from religion to medicine. He highlights two myths surrounding Freud: one portraying him as a solitary hero and the other obscuring the broader scientific and cultural context of psychoanalysis.