Freud vs. modern science: A theory in crisis?

Freud vs. modern science: A theory in crisis?

by, Bilal Mukhtar, Australia

Sigmund Freud is among the few influential figures of the 20th century who left a profound impact on psychology, cinema, and world literature. It would be impossible to introduce psychology without discussing Sigmund in an introductory class. During my teaching career across multiple colleges, I observed that while much has been praised and written about his works, there is also an element of blind following. As a result, his theories are often viewed from a fanboy perspective, which leads to intellectual dishonesty. In this feature, I aim to re-examine his psychoanalysis using literary examples and an analytical approach.

The first major shortcoming of Freud’s theory is its oversimplification. He discusses the effect of the libido, linking it primarily to sexual desire. However, this urge appears to be overly simplified in his analysis. For instance, according to his Oedipus Complex, a mother and son will experience attraction, just as a daughter will have a close connection with her father. If we apply this theory to William Shakespeare’s famous play Hamlet, we see that Hamlet’s feelings toward his mother did not remain constant but evolved. His indecision and procrastination stemmed from various societal, political, and moral factors. As a result, he devised the “mouse trap” to confirm his suspicions. If we reduce Hamlet’s emotional connection with his mother to a static attraction, we risk ignoring other crucial developments in the kingdom.

The second issue to consider is Freud’s perspective on personality development. He suggested that a child’s personality is shaped solely by their relationship with their parents. For example, he theorized that a child who experiences physical punishment may grow up to become a criminal, struggling with depression and psychological distress. However, in today’s world, we realize that personality is influenced by far more than just parenting. Factors such as high school experiences, peer interactions, and social environments play a significant role in shaping an individual’s character. If Freud’s psychoanalytical theory were expanded to include later stages of life and broader societal influences, it would provide a more comprehensive framework for understanding human psychology.

The third flaw in Freud’s work is his tendency to attribute all human actions to sexual desires. According to him, emotions such as love, hatred, jealousy, and even creative inspiration are deeply rooted in sexual urges. For instance, he suggested that if someone writes a poem, it is driven by romantic moments or emotions. However, in Eastern philosophy, poets such as Hafiz Shirazi, Mowlana Rumi, and Allama Iqbal explore spiritual and philosophical dimensions of life. If we broaden Freud’s concept of inner motivation beyond sexual impulses to include philosophy, spirituality, and intellectual pleasure, his theory would find greater acceptance in contemporary thought. Additionally, in The Interpretation of Dreams, Freud linked the symbol of water to unconscious desires, whereas Eastern traditions often interpret it as a sign of spiritual enlightenment.

A significant limitation of Freud’s work is that most of his findings were based on personal case studies and hypotheses rather than controlled experiments. To enhance the scientific validity of Freud’s psychoanalysis, I propose the following three suggestions:

1. Conduct controlled experiments to analyze how individuals with psychological issues react in different situations.
2. Utilize large-scale statistical analysis, incorporating data science and machine learning, to examine whether people make everyday decisions based on hidden sexual desires or other factors.
3. Perform a cross-cultural study comparing Eastern and Western perspectives on the Oedipus Complex. This approach would minimize researcher bias, as participants’ cultural backgrounds would remain unknown to the analysts.

If we apply Freud’s theory to Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, we find that while the protagonist, Santiago, has a dream aligning with Freud’s concepts, several aspects of the novel challenge his theory:

1. Santiago’s primary motivation is a spiritual quest rather than an unconscious desire.
2. Many elements in the novel convey transcendental messages beyond psychological explanations.
3. Freud would argue that Santiago’s journey is driven by psychological pleasure, but a detailed reading reveals themes of self-actualization and spiritual enlightenment.

In conclusion, modern literature and scientific advancements challenge the universal validity of Freud’s theory. If psychoanalysis is to remain relevant, it must be expanded and examined through controlled research.