"Moses and Monotheism"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines Freud's "Moses and Monotheism", an unusual book in which the founder of psychoanalysis investigates the origins of the Jewish religion and discusses, on the basis of his historical conclusions, the meanings of monotheism and the relationship between Judaism and Christianity. It examines how Freud believed he could accomplish this fresh look at Judaism and monotheism in general, because he had developed the psychoanalytic tools that made it possible to understand why certain processes occurred in the way they did and most importantly, to account for gaps and changes in the record for which, otherwise, no solid, factual explanations can be provided. It also examines how work is largely a response to the anti-Semitic tone of the times (1930s Germany) and places Judaism's (and the Jewish people's) relationship to the ancient past and the increasingly dangerous present in a clearer light.

From the Paper:

"In his discussion of the development of Judaism Freud's sources of information are only loosely described. It is not, in a strict sense, a scholarly book since, as the author mentions many times, he is not more than a casual student of ancient civilizations or biblical literature. But, after drawing certain conclusions about the historical course of Moses' influence on the faith, Freud argues that an analogy between this story and the foundational myth of human civilization (i.e., the killing of the father) demonstrates the likelihood that his interpretation is sound. In a circular fashion Freud's theoretical account of the pre-historic past validates his interpretation of the Moses legend and its subsequent history--down through Christianity--while his version of the Moses legend seems to be seen as a confirmation of that theory."

More papers on "Moses and Monotheism":

• Book Review # 24302 : "Freud's "Moses and Monotheism"
• Essay # 46979 : "Judaism"
• Essay # 47858 : "Major Beliefs of Judaism"

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