Synopses & Reviews
This important new title by Richard J. Bernstein presents a detailed examination of Freud's last book, Moses and Monotheism. Bernstein argues convincingly that this frequently vilified and dismissed book is one of Freud's most important works. It is in Moses and Monotheism that Freud answers the question that obsessed him: what is the essence of the Jewish people? Bernstein goes on to show how Freud developed a new interpretation of the concept of a religious tradition--an interpretation that is applicable to both Judaism and Christianity.
Review
"...this text is highly recommended...for all academic audiences." Religious Studies Review
Synopsis
This important new title by Richard J. Bernstein presents a detailed examination of Freud's last book, Moses and Monotheism. Bernstein argues convincingly that this frequently vilified and dismissed book is one of Freud's most important works. It is in Moses and Monotheism that Freud answers the question that obsessed him: what is the essence of the Jewish people? Bernstein goes on to show how Freud developed a new interpretation of the concept of a religious tradition--an interpretation that is applicable to both Judaism and Christianity.
Synopsis
A detailed examination of Freud's last, and most difficult book, Moses and Monotheism.
Table of Contents
Preface; Abbreviations; 1. The Egyptian origin of Monotheism and the murder of Moses; 2. Tradition, trauma, and the return of the repressed; 3. Anti-Semitism, Christianity, and Judaism; 4. 'Dialogue' with Yerushalmi; Appendix: An exchange of Letters between Sigmund Freud and Lou Andreas-Salomé; Bibliography; Index.