Home Categories About
argument top image
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
Debate Mini Map

What do we know about Sigmund Freud's theories?
Back to question

Much of what we know comes from pop culture

< (3 of 5) Next position >

Words and sayings

A huge amount of sayings that are now common parlance come from Freud and his theories.
< (1 of 2) Next argument >

Context

As WH Auden wrote after Freud's death, "To us he is no more a person / now but a whole climate of opinion."[1]

The Argument

“More than dead Hitler or Lenin, Roosevelt or Kennedy, more than Picasso, Eliot, or Stravinsky, more than the Beatles or Bob Dylan, Freud's influence on modern culture has been profound and long-lasting.”[2] Phrases we can thank Freud for include: Mommy and daddy issues. Arrested development. Death wishes. Freudian slips. Phallic symbols. Anal retentiveness. Defense mechanisms. Cathartic release. Oedipus complex. Denial. Id, ego and super-ego. Libido. Death wishes. Anal retentiveness. Defence mechanisms. Displacement. Phallic symbols. Projection. Transference. And Freudian slips. Are all in common parlance and started with Freud. It's not just Freud's terminology that persists, he's an adjective in his own right.[1]

Counter arguments

Premises

[P1] Freud's theories have lent us a huge amount of common sayings.

Rejecting the premises

References

  1. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29251040
  2. https://io9.gizmodo.com/why-freud-still-matters-when-he-was-wrong-about-almost-1055800815
This page was last edited on Monday, 23 Mar 2020 at 12:55 UTC

Explore related arguments