(1957). The International Psycho-Analytical Library, 52:52-58 On ‘Unbearable’ Ideas And Impulses (1937) If at some future date, a student wished to survey the development of psychology in the last fifty years he would find much to guide him from a study of this Journal, which is remarkable not only for its scope but for the fact that it has given an early welcome to so many ideas which have exercised a lasting influence on our science. Before about 1900, psychology was in the main concerned with the phenomena of consciousness, with introspection and cognition and with such experiments as would throw more light on these problems. The question of pain, when considered at all, was treated as a mode of sensation, it did not include ‘mental suffering’. But suffering is to the ordinary man most closely associated with mental phenomena, physical pain is a rare and unwelcome visitor and the victim of it hastens for help or takes care to avoid the occasion of it. In the case of mental suffering the victim does not call in aid till he must, indeed he often seems compelled to [This is a summary or excerpt from the full text of the book or article. The full text of the document is available to subscribers.] |
