Beyond Psychology

by Otto Rank

Psychologist, psychoanalyst, sociologist, teacher, Otto Rank (1884–1939) wrote on such subjects as the artist, myth, the hero, sexuality, guilt, dreams, neurosis, and the technique and history of psychoanalysis. His ideas stimulated new lines of investigation not only in psychology but also in social science, religion, history, and anthropology. A pupil, colleague, and early follower of Freud (and later one of his chief dissenters), Rank settled in America in 1933 for a "sabbatical leave" devoted to therapy and teaching. Beyond Psychology was his first book in English, and it contains the results of a lifetime of thought and research about man's essential nature.
In Beyond Psychology Rank explores the ultimates of human existence — the fear of death, the desire for immortality, the nature of sexuality, the basis of personality, the nature of social organization, the need for love, the meaning of creativity. He notes the failure of rational ideologies to cope with the instability in our social order, the lack of generally accepted ideals, the hostility, fear, and guilt that seem to characterize our civilization. Rank seeks to understand the basic human problems not by a rejection of irrationality but by an acceptance of it as an inevitable fact of human existence.
After a detailed critique of rational psychologies, he examines the myth of The Double in legend and literature in order to investigate the development of the ideal of the Soul, and he traces the reflection of man's fear of final destruction in social organizations, ideologies, concepts of personality, sexual roles, and religion. Among the subjects investigated in this searching analysis are kingship and magic participation, the institution of marriage, power and the state, Messianism, the doctrine of rebirth, the two kinds of love (Agape and Eros), the creation of the sexual self, feminine psychology and masculine ideology, and psychology beyond the self.

Genres: Psychology, Philosophy, Psychoanalysis, Nonfiction, Social Science

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1958

About the author

Born in Vienna as Otto Rosenfeld, he was one of Sigmund Freud's closest colleagues for 20 years, a prolific writer on psychoanalytic themes, an editor of the two most important analytic journals, managing director of Freud's publishing house and a creative theorist and therapist. In 1926, Otto Rank left Vienna for Paris. For the remaining 14 years of his life, Rank had a successful career as a lecturer, writer and therapist in France and the U.S..

Reviews

[Turtledog12 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that "Beyond Psychology," as hard as it was to read, was a great book. The beginning proves really difficult to get into, in the beginning the author really jumps right in, which is hard to understand because of his complex vocabulary and writing style. But once you can get past that the book proves really wonderful. If you enjoy psychology and the mysteries of life, you'll love this book.

[Liam · Rating 2 out of 5]

'Infected' by/with antisemitic tropes/jargon that are conveniently 'justified' by Rank (apparently 'everyone' did it so nothing is off limits!), mentions (steals) Weininger with the accompanying misogyny (projected inferiority) that is common here; a bordering fascist screed. Theses taken up from Freud, psychoanalysis one can find better elsewhere.

[Odin · Rating 4 out of 5]

این کتاب آخرین اثر رانک است که روانشناسی را محدود می‌بیند و به سمت رویکرد وجودی-فرهنگی حرکت می‌کند. اراده، خلاقیت و هنر را در برابر غرایز قرار می‌دهد و انسان را با اضطراب وجودی بررسی می‌کند. برای درک تحول رانک منبع است.

[Matt]

Interesting relic of the early 20th century. Applies Freudian psychoanalytic theory onto literature — old and new — as a lens for exploring explicit or implicit incest. Focused primarily on German culture/language (understandably). Arguments focus a lot on personal details/speculation of author's life which weakens what substance is found.

[Paloma Etienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a tough read, but so much wonderfulness ...

[Arash Farzaneh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond Psychology is Otto Rank’s first book written in English but sadly also his final work and it is an incredibly dense and diverse book that ranges from political observations and insights into the interplay and intersection of democracy with communism and fascism (at a time when dictatorships were rampant all around him left and right) to shifts and changes in the field of psychology and therapy to myths and legends as well as reflections on art, ancient Greek and Roman life and philosophy, feminism, history, culture, and religion!

There is a wealth and abundance of knowledge included here with many eye-opening and astounding insights leaving us agape. The most amazing thing of it all is how Rank manages to connect the dots and tie in and even explain the present via our past. We may think humans are rational beings, but we neglect that it is the irrational and often unconscious parts of ourselves that run the show, and we often become spectators in our own lives…unless we find ways and methods of breaking free and strengthening our unique and creative will.

Rank’s survey of our ancestors and the birth of the soul and religion and culture is fascinating as well as how Christianity came into being and how it shaped and changed modern thought and history forever. In fact, it is rather interesting how a rather mechanical and deterministic theory on evolution became a spiritual field for the “eternal survival of the fittest” with the promise of a heavenly kingdom, and Jesus as the Messiah of the past becoming, with the aid of Paul, resurrected with the promise of an immortal future via an afterlife. In many ways, Christianity democratized death and showed that we are all not only equal in the face and eyes of death but that we are all equally deserving and worthy of love.

As Rank explains, we need to go and step beyond psychology, and be less interested in absolute measures and lenses that are often shaped and dictated by our current social norms and standards but rather focus on strengthening the creative will of each individual with an open and holistic frame of mind while also realizing and accepting the fundamental irrational aspects of being human.

At the same time, we need to give this cosmic and spiritual life force the room and space it needs to grow, develop, and flourish into a dynamic and constructive energy by fulfilling and realizing its many inherent and potential promises for the betterment of our own lives as well as the health and well-being of our community, society, nation, and universe.

[Jon Theunissen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Challenging and very interesting perspectives, some of them from the time of the1920s a bit chauvinistic, and I think he regretted some of his earlier theories, which shows here, but a great complimentary read to his famous Art and Artist

[Alan Victor Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly insightful. Expanding on what Sigmund Freud and Wilhelm Reich taught.

[Brad Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know why they don’t require this book in college. Gave me a whole new perspective on religious beliefs and psychology. Highly recommend it.

[cadfael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two twins leave, one returns; around the maypole they dance.

[Iqra Tasmiae]

Part 5, chapter 4 "Of Woman Born".
Mentioned in reference to the belief that pregnancy was not related to sexual contact. Rather a woman was impregnated by the spirits of the dead.