Description: 'Freud on Religion' examines Freud's complex understanding of religious belief and practice. The book brings together contemporary psychoanalytic theory and case material from Freud's clinical practice to illustrate how the operations of the unconscious mind support various forms of religious belief, from mainstream to occult.
Review Quotes:
"Hewitt takes a genuinely inquiring approach to Freud's view of religion...Demonstrating deep scholarly contemplation of the original texts, the author is guided by her knowledge of Freud's theoretical intention in the psychoanalytic enterprise as a whole...[and] is daring and exciting in delving into Freud's view of the occult, telepathy, and finally love itself. This work restores attention to the contribution of Freud's thinking to the contemporary study of religion and is a must read for those interested in psychoanalysis, religion, and modern culture. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers." - R. H. Balsam, Yale University, in CHOICE