The Theory of Psychoanalysis. Illustrated

The Theory of Psychoanalysis is a foundational work by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung, originally published in 1913, during a formative period of his intellectual evolution. In this groundbreaking text, Jung expands upon and challenges aspects of Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theories, marking the beginning of Jung's departure from Freudian orthodoxy and the emergence of his own analytical psychology.

The book begins with a respectful overview of Freud's early ideas, particularly the emphasis on the unconscious, sexuality, and repression. However, Jung gradually introduces new perspectives, arguing that the human psyche cannot be understood solely through the lens of sexual drives. He proposes a broader and more complex view, incorporating cultural, mythological, and symbolic dimensions of the unconscious.

One of the key contributions of The Theory of Psychoanalysis is Jung's emphasis on individual development and the psyche’s innate drive toward wholeness. He introduces early concepts that would later evolve into his famous theories of archetypes, the collective unconscious, and individuation.

This work is both a critique and an expansion of classical psychoanalysis. It provides invaluable insight into the split between Freud and Jung, while also laying the philosophical groundwork for Jung’s later writings. Accessible and intellectually provocative, the book remains essential reading for students of psychology, psychotherapy, and the history of ideas.