When talking about psychoanalysis, two names always come to mind: Sigmund Freud and Carl Gustav Jung. Although both contributed significantly to the field, their relationship was marked by a unique complexity. In this article, we will explore how Jung was named “Crown Prince” of Psychoanalysis by Freud and what this means in the context of the history of psychology.
Introduction to Psychoanalysis and the role of Freud
THEpsychoanalysis, founded by Sigmund Freud, is a theory and clinical method for treating psychological disorders. Freud believed that many of these disorders have roots in childhood and unconscious experiences. He developed techniques such as free association and dream analysis to explore the subconscious.
It was in this context that Carl Jung entered the scene, initially as a disciple of Freud. Their relationship began with great promise, but evolved into a significant rupture. To understand this dynamic, it is essential to know Freud’s role in psychoanalysis and why he saw Jung as his natural successor.
The meeting between Freud and Jung
Carl Gustav Jung was a young Swiss psychiatrist when he met Sigmund Freud in 1907. The first impression was extremely positive, and Freud saw in Jung not only a brilliant colleague, but also someone who could carry on his work.
Jung was attracted to Freud’s ideas about the unconscious, but soon began to develop his own theories. He introduced concepts such as the “collective unconscious” and the “archetypes,” which moved away from Freud’s most strictly sexual view of the human psyche.
The appointment of Jung as “prince heir”
It was in 1910, during the International Congress of Psychoanalysis in Nuremberg, that Freud appointed Jung as president of the International Association of Psychoanalysis. This appointment was seen by many as a sign that Jung was the “heir prince” of psychoanalysis designed to succeed Freud in the leadership of the movement.
However, this appointment also signaled the beginning of the end of the relationship between the two. Jung began to develop his own theories and techniques, which diverged significantly from Freud’s. The growing tension between them led to a public rupture in 1913.
Consequences of the rupture
The break between Freud and Jung had profound consequences for both men and the field of psychoanalysis as a whole. Jung continued to develop his own approach, known as Analytical Psychology, which emphasized the search for individuation and the balance between the conscious and the unconscious.
On the other hand, Freud saw the rupture as a betrayal and continued to develop his psychoanalytic theory without Jung’s direct influence. The psychological community has divided itself, with some following Freud and others joining Jung in his new approach.
By reflecting on this story, we can see how personal and professional relationships can shape the course of intellectual history. Jung’s appointment as “heir prince” of Psychoanalysis by Freud was a crucial moment that, although it was marked by a rupture, also led to the enrichment of the field of psychology with diverse perspectives.
Nowadays, both Freud’s and Jung’s theories continue to influence psychology and psychotherapy. The search to understand the unconscious and the importance of individuation are topics that remain relevant in everyday life, whether in personal self-reflection or in the therapeutic context.
In short, the story of how Jung was named “Prince Heir” of Psychoanalysis by Freud is a lesson on the complexity of human relations and the evolution of ideas. She reminds us that knowledge is dynamic and that divergences can lead to new paths of discovery and understanding.
