Dual allegiance
Book Description
Through an intimate examination of Sigmund Freud's personal letters, Moshe Gresser reveals a profound dimension of the father of psychoanalysis that challenges conventional understanding. Rather than viewing his Jewish heritage as a burden or obstacle, this scholarly exploration demonstrates how Freud's cultural identity served as a wellspring of creative energy and personal pride throughout his life.
Gresser meticulously traces Freud's psychological and spiritual development through his own words, presenting the correspondence in chronological sequence to create a vivid portrait of inner growth. By carefully analyzing the original German texts within their cultural framework, the author uncovers how Freud navigated the complex terrain between his Jewish roots and his commitment to universal humanistic values.
The investigation reaches its crescendo with an in-depth examination of "Moses and Monotheism," Freud's final work that most explicitly engaged with his Jewish identity. Through this analysis, Gresser opens a broader conversation about the challenges facing modern individuals who seek to honor their particular traditions while embracing universal principles.
This work speaks directly to contemporary seekers wrestling with questions of authenticity and belonging. It offers valuable insights for anyone exploring how cultural heritage can enrich rather than constrain personal development, and how the tension between tradition and modernity can become a source of creative synthesis rather than internal conflict.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~9 hours)
📄 Length: 337 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Psychoanalysis
- ✓ Understand psychological principles
- ✓ Explore General
- ✓ Explore Judaism and psychoanalysis
- ✓ Explore Psychoanalysis and religion
- ✓ Explore Freudian Theory
- ✓ Explore Correspondence
- ✓ Explore Freud, sigmund, 1856-1939
