The author regards psycho-analysis as the only empirical science of mental life which satisfies the pre-conditions of a dialectical-materialist psychology. He proceeds to outline some of the aims and uses of such a psychology, and claims that it brings with it the possibility of a successful approach to the prophylaxis of the neuroses, a problem which is almost ignored by the bourgeois physician, who finds therapy more profitable, and prefers to avoid recognition of the social roots of the neuroses. Finally, the author subjects certain 'idealistic' tendencies in psycho-analysis, not to be regarded as essential to it, to a severe criticism.

'As for attempts to explain and resist war with the help of the psycho-analytic study of sadism, we dialectical-materialist analysts have several times already given them a sufficiently public disavowal, but condemnation of such folly is no reason for condemning psycho-analysis'.