Review of the book by V.V. Starovoitov “Psychoanalysis in Portraits”

Abstract

The review highlights two main parts of the book: information about scientists who created psychoanalysis, developed and applied it, and Appendices. The first of them is devoted to classical psychoanalysis, starting with S. Freud. Here the author introduces the reader to British and Hungarian psychoanalysis, including in their modern version. It is noted that the changes that have occurred in the theoretical field of psychoanalysis have led to radical changes in therapeutic practice. The boundaries of psychoanalysis are fluid. They are constantly expanding, and in our time psychoanalysis can be interpreted as a system of theories of human behavior, as a way to treat mental illness, etc. Appendices consisting mainly of scientific articles of philosophers and psychoanalysts translated by V.V. Starovoitov from English. They can be considered an interesting book in their own right. Particularly attractive to the reader are the articles of R. Fairburne and D. Winnicott, as well as an extensive article by Dr. Elizabeth Spillius. Overall, the whole book is informative and useful, it can not only benefit the novice psychoanalyst of a philosophical orientation, but also arouse interest in psychoanalysis in a person who previously considered the theory and practice of psychoanalysis to be theoretical fun.