The Psychoanalysis of Nazism

The Psychoanalysis of Nazism explores the intricate relationship between psychoanalysis, language, and the sociopolitical forces of Nazi Germany.

Through a detailed examination of psychoanalytic discourse during the Third Reich, the book reveals how analysts navigated the constraints of censorship and ideological conformity, often adopting a "camouflage" style to preserve their intellectual integrity. It focuses on the works of Alexander Mette and Gerhart Scheunert, two analysts whose contrasting approaches to psychoanalysis under Nazi rule illuminate the tensions between adaptation and resistance. Mette’s mastery of linguistic subterfuge allowed him to critique the regime subtly, while Scheunert’s dual identity as both a Nazi Party member and a psychoanalyst highlights the moral and professional compromises of the era. The book also delves into postwar controversies, including Annemarie Dührssen’s polemical history of German psychoanalysis and the ongoing struggle to reconcile Freud’s legacy with the field’s troubled past.

This book is essential reading for scholars and students of psychoanalysis, history, and sociolinguistics, as well as anyone interested in the intersections of language, ideology, and intellectual resistance. It offers profound insights into the ethical dilemmas faced by psychoanalysts under totalitarian regimes and the enduring impact of these challenges on the development of modern psychoanalytic thought.