Freud and Sociology

Sociology at present appears to be little influenced by the writings of Doctor Sigmund Freud. A recent article entitled War and Individual Psychology1 by Doctor Ernest Jones, a leading Freudian author, applies Freud's teaching to the great social event of our time and claims that the theory of Freud has significance for the student of society as well as for the alienist. Any one who follows the increasing contributions from Freudian writers in regard to the motives and forms of human conduct appreciates that the Freudian interpretation cannot be accepted without being of great importance to the sociologist. Indeed it is rather strange that Freud has not been given greater attention by writers on social problems, that he has not received more criticism from the social point of view.

Certainly there can be no doubt about the importance that the Freudian school claims for the Freudian system outside of the field of mental pathology. The secondary title of the American Freudian periodical is “A Journal Devoted to an Understanding of Human Conduct.” In plainest terms disciples of Freud have stated that his teaching is of the greatest value in giving a basis for the interpretation of the motives and actions of men. “Among the different views expressed on the neuroses, those of Freud stand out most conspicuously. No recent theories in medicine or psychology have evoked so many controversies and discussions. After years of careful and painstaking labor Freud evolved not only a system of psychotherapy, but a new psychology. Unlike all other investigators,