Freud on the Couch: A Critical Introduction to the Father of Psychoanalysis

Almost 75 years since his death, Freud remains as influential and divisive as ever. This major, new introduction argues that mistranslations, clichés, and misconceptions surround his reception. Author Beverley Clack argues that Freud was as concerned with "the death drive" as the "sex drive" and that his fierce critique of religion masked a fascination with spiritual, existential, and philosophical questions. Exploring how his life influenced his thought, plus philosophers like Schopenhauer and Nietzsche, Clack updates all of Freud’s key ideas and case studies and highlights why his work remains relevant.

Beverley Clack is a professor of philosophy of religion at Oxford Brookes University in the U.K.