A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis

By: Sigmund Freud, G. Stanley Hall - translation

Narrated by: Nigel Carrington

This series of 28 lectures was given by Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), the founder of psychoanalysis, during the First World War and first published in English in 1920.

The purpose of this general introduction was to present his work and ideas - as they had matured at that point - to a general public; and even though there was to be considerable development and change over the ensuing years, these talks still offer a valuable and remarkably approachable entry point to his revolutionary concepts.

The talks are divided into three parts: 'The Psychology of Errors' (which later became known as 'Freudian Slips'), 'The Dream' (his broad views on interpretation) and 'General Theory of Neuroses'. Within these sections appear many of his concepts which have found their way into the wider consciousness of modern man - the key role of sex in forming our thoughts and behavior, the Oedipus complex, the libido, sublimation, fixation, regression and suppression and the unconscious. He was determined to show how psychoanalysis could help reveal the causes of neuroses and lead to clarity for the patient - as opposed to the approach taken by psychiatrists.

Freud refers to his early use of hypnotism, which he later discarded, and many more steps which led him to his conclusions that the powerful part played by sexual impulses, often dating back to childhood, pursued individuals into adulthood.

Freud's text is well served by a clear presentation from Nigel Carrington. Translation by G. Stanley Hall.

Public Domain (P)2016 Ukmei Productions Ltd

I thought I knew Freud

But I did not. I understand now why he was, and is, so hated. So ridiculed. The world was not ready. I was not ready. Freud my dude, we done you dirty.

Dialectical Convergence to Phenomenology of Spirit

Title says it all. The uncanny parallel to Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit reveals the link between Psychoanalysis and Hegelian Praxis.

The 3 topics of Parapraxis (Freudian Slips of the tongue, mishearing, mis-seeing, and mis-feeling), Dreams, and Neurotic disorders matches the sections of Preface/Introduction, Consciousness, and Self-consciousness.

If Freud is the father of Psychoanalysis, then Hegel is the godfather of it. How Freud managed to articulate the hegelian dialectic without reading Hegel at all is astounding.

interesting and eye opening

very dry, challenging to pay attention to, though rewarding and inciteful. the reader did an excellent job.

Valuable History, Flawed Psychology

At this point in psychology, the vast majority of Freud’s ideas are not generally accepted, but that doesn’t mean that Freud isn’t incredibly important to the history and development of the science. I don’t think this is worth listening to if you want to learn modern psychology, but it is fascinating to hear the ideas that helped begin the study of an entire scientific field.

Excellent Narration

it would be silly to rate the book itself. it's freud. If you want to lightly read Freud this is a solid way to do it.