Ethics for a Scientific Age: Some Moral Aspects of Psychoanalysis

To these times, which so persistently face us with crucial moral issues, psychoanalysis has much to contribute. It is thus appropriate now to re-examine this system of psychology in the context of morality. Aside from having ethical ties to important areas within psychology proper, such as psychotherapy and ego psychology, the psychoanalytic system embodies principles that carry with them clear implications for moral conduct.

I use the term morality not to express “nobility and rectitude” but to approximate Dewey's use of the term4 as the strength to make choices. It also conveys the sense of “inherent strength” which Erikson talks about in Insight and Responsibility.7a I suppose that I am too old-fashioned to go further on the road which Erikson takes when he makes a sharp distinction between morality as based on threats to be forestalled and ethics as based on ideals to be striven for.7b Although I see some rationale for his distinguishing between these terms, I am afraid that too much is lost in the process. For instance, it is somewhat precious to talk of “ethical indignation.” “Moral indignation,” on the contrary, is a most important weapon in our social armamentarium, a weapon that needs more exercise than it has recently been getting. So I trust that you will go along with me when I use