[Once again: is psychoanalysis a science? Fundamentalism and coherentism as "scientific theories of psychoanalysis"]. 1989

M Kurthen
Abteilung für Klinische Neurophysiologie und Neurochirurgische Rehabilitation, Neurochirurgische Universitätsklinik Bonn.

In accordance with Freud's own conception of a theory of the unconscious, philosophy of science has discussed psychoanalysis mainly in terms of classical empiricism and foundationism. Thus the discussion was focused on the question if the "clinical data", which had to carry the burden of epistemic justification, were "reliable" or rather an artifact of the analyst's suggestions and expectations.--Recent arguments against foundationism have supported the development of a coherentist epistemology. In this paper it is argued that coherentism might allow a more adequate discussion of the theoretical status of psychoanalysis than did classical foundationism. This is shown by a consideration of the conditions of truth, meaning, and justification of psychoanalytical statements.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010684 Philosophy A love or pursuit of wisdom. A search for the underlying causes and principles of reality. (Webster, 3d ed) Hedonism,Stoicism,Pharmacy Philosophy,Philosophical Overview,Overview, Philosophical,Overviews, Philosophical,Pharmacy Philosophies,Philosophical Overviews,Philosophies,Philosophies, Pharmacy,Philosophy, Pharmacy
D011572 Psychoanalysis The separation or resolution of the psyche into its constituent elements. The term has two separate meanings: 1. a procedure devised by Sigmund Freud, for investigating mental processes by means of free association, dream interpretation and interpretation of resistance and transference manifestations; and 2. a theory of psychology developed by Freud from his clinical experience with hysterical patients. (From Campbell, Psychiatric Dictionary, 1996). Psychodynamic Analysis,Analyses, Psychodynamic,Analysis, Psychodynamic,Psychodynamic Analyses
D005619 Freudian Theory Philosophic formulations which are basic to psychoanalysis. Some of the conceptual theories developed were of the libido, repression, regression, transference, id, ego, superego, Oedipus Complex, etc. Theory, Freudian
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012586 Science The study of natural phenomena by observation, measurement, and experimentation. Sciences

Related Publications

M Kurthen
April 2006, Psychoanalytic review,
M Kurthen
January 1970, Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association,
M Kurthen
December 2005, EMBO reports,
M Kurthen
May 1970, Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946),
M Kurthen
November 1997, The New England journal of medicine,
M Kurthen
May 1985, Psyche,
M Kurthen
January 2005, Journal of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation,
M Kurthen
September 1980, The British journal of medical psychology,
M Kurthen
January 1992, The Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis,
Copied contents to your clipboard!