A Flawed Genius

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that undoubtedly, Freud was one of the great geniuses of the 20th century, due to his often explosive views and theories on love, language, power, human development and death. The writer points out that Freud, like many other prominent scientists and researchers, was not a perfect human being. The writer maintains that it is clear that Sigmund Freud suffered from numerous flaws in his personality, much like any other human being which society views as being above the normal range of human creativity and intellectual power. The writer concludes that the paradox of Freud and his "fatal flaws" is double-sided, meaning that he both inspires intense loyalty from many current researchers in human psychology and intense hatred from those who oppose his often radical and downright incorrect theories on human development.


Outline:
Introduction
Freud's Early Life
Marriage and Cocaine
Freud and His Father
Freud and Jewish Culture
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"In many of their letters, Sigmund Freud and his wife left highly-detailed descriptions of their often tempestuous relationship."
"As related in these letters, during the first decade of their marriage, three sons and three daughters were born which added extreme pressure to Freud's ability to earn a substantial living as a neuropathologist in Vienna. At this time, circa 1884, Freud decided to conduct some experiments on the use of cocaine. At first, his interests in the drug were therapeutic, but he soon started using the drug and within two years found himself under a cloud of suspicion, due to reports of drug addiction which brought much criticism from his contemporaries."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Appignanesi, Lisa. (1992). Freud's Women. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
• Diller, Jerry V. (1991). Freud's Jewish Identity: A Case Study in the Impact of Ethnicity.Madison, NJ: Fairleigh-Dickinson University Press.
• Krull, Marianna. (1986). Freud and His Father. New York: Norton Publishing Company.
• Muckenhoupt, Margaret. (1997). Sigmund Freud: Explorer of the Unconscious.New York: Oxford University Press.

More papers on A Flawed Genius:

• Essay # 85649 : "Karl Marx"
• Analytical Essay # 23799 : "Willy Loman"
• Comparison Essay # 72246 : "Strategic Leadership in WWII and Vietnam"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: