Citation

Wile IS. Am. J. Orthopsychiatry 1937; 7(2): 235-239.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1937, American Orthopsychiatric Association, Publisher Wiley Blackwell)

DOI

10.1111/j.1939-0025.1937.tb05281.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Comments on an article by Gregory Zilboorg (see record 1996-98510-004). This interesting paper was discussed at the Annual Meeting of the American Orthopsychiatric Association. Only a fraction of the membership was in attendance, wherefore it appears desirable to present some of the criticisms raised in discussing the paper. In analyzing this excellently written document, one is immediately struck by various internal weaknesses which invalidate his conclusions. Dr. Zilboorg's statements should not go unchallenged. His paper reveals a lack of scientific methodology and manifests a lack of logic in the development of his theory. Conceding that the contribution of psychoanalysis to suicide, "while more enlightening is still insufficient," he does not hesitate to state dogmatically, "psychoanalysis proceeded to show that not only has the act of suicide a definite unconscious meaning but also that the methods for carrying out the act of self destruction are revealing in that they frequently tell of the unconscious infantile content of the act." Thus he does not hesitate to state that suicide by drowning points to an "intrauterine phantasy," by jumping out of the window, "birth phantasy," by shooting, "certain aspects of unconscious homosexuality." The mystery of life is complex and the bases for escaping from it are beyond our present knowledge. Conscious and unconscious elements, biological, psychological and social, merit continued investigation, thoughtful study and cautious interpretations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)

Keywords

Criticism; Experimental Methods; Psychoanalysis; Suicide; Unconscious (Personality Factor)