Woman in Yellow Jacket - Painting by Amedo Modigalini

Freud was one the most important influences on life in the 20th century. He introduced the science of psychoanalysis, that is, investigation of unconscious mind, and by it brought relief and hope to millions of people with disturbed minds. The Interpretation of Dreams, The Psychopathology of Everyday life, The Ego and Id, Civilization and its Discontents, Moses and Monotheism, and Psychoanalysis are some of his epoch-making books. Freud studied in Vienna, and was Professor of neuropathology there fro 36 years. Nazism forced him to leave Austria.

Freud’s psychoanalysis throws light on all aspects of human life. He believed that sex or libido is at the base of most of the human activity. He helped in solving many of the complex problems that beset human personality. He also laid emphasis on the use of hypnotism in treatment of many disorders of the human mind. He encouraged freedom as far as sexual activities are concerned so that one remained mentally sound

According to Freud, sex is an inborn instinct that governs and channelises human activities. He points towards two fundamental natures. One is fundamental nature for life and the other is for death. He defined sex or libido and one’s destructive activities under these two heads. Freud has made deep study of the psychology of sex and interpretation dreams.

Freud was an extraordinary psychologist. He left lasting imprint of his thoughts on different spheres of human activity. He provided new direction to sociologists who could then tackle the maladies that beset human society. The possibilities of the science on psychoanalysis are still enormous and many more have yet to be explored. But there is no doubt about the tremendous value of the science that was precisely advocated by him.