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What do we know about Sigmund Freud's theories? What do we know about Sigmund Freud's theories?
Interpretation has changed over time Interpretation has changed over time
Freud's beliefs were problematic Freud's beliefs were problematic
Much of what we know comes from pop culture Much of what we know comes from pop culture
All that we can know is that they are now irrelevant All that we can know is that they are now irrelevant
Everything we know is questionable Everything we know is questionable
Conscious and unconscious Conscious and unconscious
Repression Repression
Sexual desire Sexual desire
Freud’s beliefs are grounded in sexism and uphold misogyny Freud’s beliefs are grounded in sexism and uphold misogyny
Lesbianism Lesbianism
Reported abuse was actually a fantasy Reported abuse was actually a fantasy
Recovered memories Recovered memories
His own baggage His own baggage
Words and sayings Words and sayings
TV and movies TV and movies
Freud’s beliefs do not apply to modern-day psychology Freud’s beliefs do not apply to modern-day psychology
Freud didn’t invent psychoanalysis Freud didn’t invent psychoanalysis
Freud’s theories did not come from his work as a therapist Freud’s theories did not come from his work as a therapist
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What do we know about Sigmund Freud's theories?
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Freud's beliefs were problematic

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Lesbianism

Freud believed lesbianism was a product of mental illness.
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The Argument

His daughter Anna was his closest intellectual and emotional companion - and a lesbian. Freud’s own theory states that lesbianism is always the fault of the father and is curable by psychoanalysis. His own beliefs that analysis is an erotic relationship and the reasons for lesbianism should have precluded him from analysing Anna. It didn’t. For six nights a week over several years, he and Anna analyzed and dissected her masturbation fantasies, and he spoke publicly about her fantasies at a conference while Anna sat beside him on stage. In her personal life, Anna enjoyed 54 years of happy monogamy with Dorothy Burlingham, heir to the Tiffany fortune.

Counter arguments

Premises

[P1] Freud believed lesbianism was a mental illness.

Rejecting the premises

References

This page was last edited on Monday, 23 Mar 2020 at 12:59 UTC

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