Freud Quote by Massimo Piattelli-Palmarini
““By what psychoanalyst friends tell me, in the field of the emotional subconscious, the emotional resistances to be overcome are no longer the ones most people felt in Freud's [..] day. The moralizing respectability and the fear of sex evidenced in Freud's day no longer exist. I am told that today's resistances come in the form of summary, seemingly pitiless and unrelenting "wild" self-analyses offered up by those who claim to have understood "everything" about themselves.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Contemporary Psychoanalysis, 2020
Modern resistances arise from self‑analysis and over‑intellectualization rather than Freud’s moral constraints.
In simple terms: Today’s inner blocks are self‑critical, not moral.
Recognize and balance self‑analysis with humility.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- personal reflection
- academic seminars
- self‑help practice
- mindfulness training
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does self‑analysis become a barrier?
- Can humility restore balance?
Over‑analysis can paralyze growth.