Alchemists of Human Nature:
Psychological Utopianism in Gross, Jung, Reich and Fromm
Petteri Pietikainen
978 1 85196 923 4: 234x156mm: £60.00/$99.00
978 1 85196 557 1
This is the first book-length study of Modernist utopias of the mind.
Pietikainen examines the psychodynamic writings of Otto Gross, C G Jung, Wilhelm Reich and Erich Fromm. After they broke from Freud and orthodox psychoanalysis, Pietikainen argues, utopianism became increasingly important to the fundamental ambitions of all four thinkers. He shows how Gross’s Matriarchal Communism, Jung’s Archetypal Cosmos, Reich’s Orgonomic Functionalism and Fromm’s Socialist Humanism were attempts to reshape social structures and human relations by conquering the Unconscious. Pietikainen places the ‘utopian impulse’ with the historical context of the large, violent socio-political narratives of the early twentieth century.
This innovative interdisciplinary book contributes to ongoing scholarly and professional discussions about the historicity versus the universality of human nature.
Sample pages
Readership
History of Psychoanalysis and Medicine, History of Philosophy, Utopianism
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Nature of Psychological Utopianism
Chapter 2: The New Soviet Man: Psychoanalysis and the Conquest of the Unconscious in the Early Days of the Soviet Union
Chapter 3: Anarchism and the Communist Mother Right: Utopianism in Otto Gross
Chapter 4: Individuation and ‘National Individuation’: Utopianism in C.G. Jung
Chapter 5: Sexual Revolution and the Power of Orgone Energy: Utopianism in Wilhelm Reich
Chapter 6: Socialist Humanism and the Sane Society: Utopianism in Erich Fromm
Conclusion: Utopia, Illusion and Second Reality
Reviews
'A fascinating historical analysis...the author's criticism is balanced and never falls prey to romantic notions or antagonism, and his interjected perceptions and reflections enhance the book...extensively researched, well written, and well documented, this will be a valuable resource to those interested in these four men or in utopian societies. Highly recommended.'
– CHOICE
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