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October 21, 1963. A SUGGESTION FOR A PSYCHOANALYTIC DICTIONARY. Ludwig Eidelberg, M.D.
The author describes the basic format, policies, and problems involved in compiling a psychoanalytic encyclopedic dictionary. He feels there is a strong need for such a work because the confusion of terminology constantly interferes in scientific communication among psychoanalysts. Many terms originally introduced by Freud and his followers were only vaguely defined and later took on new and varied meanings. Other terms have been borrowed from different sciences or from lay language and still carry confusing connotations of their original meanings. Dr. Eidelberg has organized a staff of associate editors (Drs. Eisnitz, Kanzer, Bertram D. Lewin, Niederland, Shengold, and Otto E. Sperling) and assistant editors (Drs. Almansi, Donadeo, Silverman, Stamm, and Yazmajian). The contents of the dictionary will not be limited to those definitions used or accepted by the majority of psychoanalysts but will include terms that have been used in a manner seemingly contradictory to basic laws of methodology. It is Dr. Eidelberg's intention that the editorial staff point out pertinent misunderstandings in terminology, suggest improvements, and constantly strive toward further clarification of thought.
Some practical considerations involved in the writing of this dictionary were illustrated in detail by the following examples: instinct and instinctual drive,