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Dr. Boss is one of the outstanding members of a Swiss group who have in recent years been interested in what they term 'existential analysis' (daseinsanalyse). In his discussion of the perversions Boss contrasts his theories with the psychoanalytic concepts and also with the so-called 'anthropological' theory of perversion. The exponents of the latter theory emphasize the nature of man (anthropos) as a total entity. They aim to study the human being in relation to his place in the 'objective' world, eliminating 'subjective' evaluations as much as possible. Gebsattel, Straus, Kunz, et al. believe the aim of perverse behavior to be the gratification derived from aggression against, and destruction of, the established ethical standards upon which 'normal' culture and interpersonal love relations depend. This concept is highly theoretical, and, according to Boss, not substantiated even by their own clinical data.
Boss's position most closely approximates L. Binswanger's who, with Jasper and others, has formulated a theory of love based upon the Platonic myth that primordial man was cloven into masculine and feminine halves by divine wrath. These two parts are then in perpetual search of each other, trying to re-establish a union through love and a sense of integration with the structure of the real and metaphysical world.
According to Boss, the love-life of man is to be considered as an entity rather than as a composite of many infantile and adult instinctual drives. He is evidently well versed in psychoanalytic theory, although he carefully avoids the use of psychoanalytic terminology in any of his formulations whenever possible. However the clinical material makes it evident to the reader that he makes full use of his psychoanalytic knowledge in order to evaluate the patient's 'existential' position. Although Boss does not actually deny this, he strives to formulate his theories entirely in terms of the conscious experiences of the patient and in somewhat vague