Considered in its entirety, psychoanalysis won't do. It's an end product, moreover, like a dinosaur or a zeppelin; no better theory can ever be erected on its ruins, which will remain for ever one of the saddest and strangest of all landmarks in the history of twentieth-century thought.

Summary

This quote criticizes psychoanalysis as an inadequate and outdated theory. It suggests that psychoanalysis is a final product, comparable to extinct and obsolete entities like dinosaurs and zeppelins. The quote further argues that no superior theory can be constructed from the remnants of psychoanalysis, which is viewed as a peculiar and disheartening landmark in 20th-century intellectual history. In essence, the quote conveys a negative assessment of psychoanalysis's lasting impact and its limitations in terms of providing a satisfactory understanding of the human mind.

Topics