Ola Andersson (1920-1990)

Ola Andersoon died on the 15th of May 1990.

When he defended his thesis Studies in the Prehistory of Psychoanalysis at the University of Uppsala in 1962, it turned out to be an almost microscopically careful examination of how Freud's etiological ideas developed during the epoch he discusses, the years 1886 until 1896. All relevant information about how Freud's models slowly changed are taken from Freud's own scientific writings and from his letters during these years. Influences from Herbartian psychology and from Charcot's researches in the field of neurosis are examined in Freud's text. Important material from the point of view of the history of ideas, was derived from Freud's drafts from 1892 where he argued against Charcot's extreme doctrines of heredity. In 1893, Freud and Breuer constructed their energetic model and in 1894, Freud introduced the “Abwehr” process, directed against sexual ideas repugnant to the person's ego. The concepts of libido and of mental conflict (a moral conflict) received their first exposure during these years.

It was not an accidental occurrence that Ola Andersson's dissertation represented an endeavour to investigate the history of ideas. This approach was very characteristic of him as a researcher, psychoanalyst and as a person with a basic training in literature and history. The human life as a psychological problem became for him a rambling area where every life stage is distinguished by its specific conflicts. He was very close to Homburger Ericson and his thoughts about development and task, and how every individual grows into a meaningful sharer of his society and culture. He elaborated this perspective of the course of human life in seminars and supervisions for candidates in the Swedish Psychoanalytic Society, as well as to university students in theology, psychology and sociology.

During all the years he worked with psychoanalysis, training and supervision and as an Associate Professor at the University, Ola Andersson