This book explores the representations of society and culture that Freud elaborated in the course of his work. His profound interest in these areas led to his construction of a personal socio-anthropology, one which was virulently criticized by the social sciences of the day as it challenged many contemporary sociological and anthropological conceptions.

Freud's view of culture and society encompassed both his Viennese and wider Western society and civilization and also historical and so-called -primitive- societies, which he viewed from the evolutionist perspective of the British...

This book examines the contentious relationship between psychoanalysis and anthropology as it has played out in disputes surrounding the Oedipus complex. Here, Eric Smadja explores the complicated historical and epistemological conditions leading up to the emergence of the conflict between the two disciplines. He considers the origins of each science, the "creation" of the Oedipus complex, and the place, role and influence of Freud's key and controversial work Totem and Taboo, both in the history of psychoanalysis and as it connects with anthropology internationally.

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This book examines the contentious relationship between psychoanalysis and anthropology as it has played out in disputes surrounding the Oedipus complex. Here, Eric Smadja explores the complicated historical and epistemological conditions leading up to the emergence of the conflict between the two disciplines. He considers the origins of each science, the "creation" of the Oedipus complex, and the place, role and influence of Freud's key and controversial work Totem and Taboo, both in the history of psychoanalysis and as it connects with anthropology internationally.

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