The Structure of Freudian Thought: The Problem of Immutability and Discontinuity in Developmental Theory: Melvin Feffer,  International University Press, New York, 1982, pp.  298.

Melvin Feffer, Ph.D. is Professor of Psychology at the Institute for Cognitive Studies, Rutgers University, Newark, N.J. He studied and analyzed carefully Sigmund Freud's theory of personality development, with special emphasis on Freud's preformistic concept of human development—and he finds logical inconsistencies. If one tries to understand a child's development into adulthood, one must deal with discontinuity simultaneously with immutability. However, since Freud distinguished between primitive, causally determined behavior (in the child), and purposive behavior (in the adult), he arrived at an untenable position of illogically changing the poles of his claim and assuming the opposite point of view. This is a logical inconsistency which cannot be corrected and cannot be avoided within the structure of Freudian thought. This illogical state is inherent to all domains of developmental thought and includes the entire Carthesian world view. In this sense, Feffer offers an important correction. An outright rejection of analytic energy theory as old-fashioned does not lead to any insight. A constructionistic alternative is suggested, following Piagetian thought, outlined by Feffer in the last 30 pages, which are so closely written that they could only be quoted but not reviewed. The entire book is directed to the philosopher among analysts and the practitioner cannot be sure of having understood complicated thoughts properly, even if he reads the entire text carefully, which is a considerable effort.