For the purpose of this evaluation The Foundations of Psychoanalysis can best be divided into two parts: Grünbaum's critique of the hermeneutic understanding of psychoanalysis, and his critique of the scientific status of psychoanalysis. At first glance, this two-fold nature of Grünbaum's argument may appear paradoxical. Grünbaum first attacks the hermeneutic approach to psychoanalytic theory (Ricoeur, Habermas, et al.) for its failure to appreciate the scientific nature of Freud's hypotheses. He then attacks psychoanalytic theory for failing to empirically validate its theories, i.e., for its failure to qualify as a