Kurt Goldstein 1878-1965

“The life of man always presents difficulties which seem to be insurmountable, J- but in spite of this man tries to handle them, not simply in terms of his own self-realization, but also in such a way as to allow the self-realization of others. We do this not simply out of goodness to the others but out of the experience of mutual connectedness which belongs to human nature. This is why I might say the main requirement for individuality is the ability to love.”

Kurt Goldstein lived his words as a life-affirming human being and a courageous fighter against demagoguery, as a firm supporter of free scientific inquiry, an exemplar of living creativity, a revered teacher, and a wise friend. The vastness, depth and vigor of his holistic approach have inspired awe and humility and many serious thinkers have acknowledged their indebtedness to him.

Born in Kattowitz, Germany on November 6, 1878, he obtained his medical degree from the University of Breslau in 1903. Early in his career he was influenced by Professor Wernicke who believed that neurology and psychiatry formed one inseparable unit. During World War I he served as director of the Military Hospital for brain-injured soldiers. He held positions in neurology and psychiatry at several German universities, including Frankfurt, Freiburg and Berlin. With the advent of Nazi Germany, he came to the University of Amsterdam where, in 1934, he finished one of his major works, The Organism. In 1935 he left for the United States to become Attending Neurologist at Montefiore Hospital, and Clinical Professor of Neurology at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University. His William James Lectures at Harvard were published in 1940 under the title, Human Nature in the Light of Psycho pathology. During his career, he also had associations with Tufts, Columbia, Brandeis, City College of New York, and the New School for Social Research.

In 1958 the Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis held a symposium to comme