Dreams

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer maintains that when dreams and the purpose of dreaming are discussed, Sigmund Freud's theory of dreaming invariably makes its way into the discussion. The writer notes that regardless of the content of his theories and their highly controversial nature, Freud is considered a pioneer in the field and his work is assigned utmost critical value. According to Freud, dreams were closely connected with wish fulfillment. The writer points out that it is important to understand that Freud's The Interpretation of Dreams" that came out in 1900 was only the first version of his theory, he later revised his theory significantly and it is the final form that must be discussed more often. The writer concludes that Freud is an important name in the field but even his theory was fraught with limitations.

From the Paper:

"Freud's work was followed by host of other theories on dreams, which borrowed from, revised and added to his original theory. Long before Freud, Aristotle had discussed the subject of dreaming which the conclusion that human beings are created for activity but since they do need to rest, their mind preserves the important function of activity by staying active and alive. He also tied it to diet and digestion. All parts of his theory may not hold true today but Aristotle's argument of activity has always received considerable attention."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Flanagan, Owen. 2000. Dreaming Souls: Sleep, Dreams, and the Evolution of the Conscious Mind. Oxford: Oxford University Press
• Freud, S, "An Autobiographical Study," The Standard Edition of the Complete Works of Sigmund Freud 20 (1925-26).
• Freud, S. (1900), The interpretation of dreams. Standard Edition, 4 & 5. London: Hogarth Press, 1953
• Panksepp J. (1985): Mood changes, in Handbook of Clinical Neurology 45, P. Vinken, G. Bruyn, H. Klawans, Eds. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 271-85.
• Solms M. (1995): New findings on the neurological organization of dreaming: implications for psychoanalysis. Psychoanal. Q. 64:43-67.

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