Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society The Truth About Sigmund Freud
Dec 16, 2025
Carolyn Laubender, Head of the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies at the University of Essex, dives into the complex world of Sigmund Freud. She reveals Freud's unconventional marriage and his intriguing relationship with his sister-in-law, Minna. The discussion highlights Freud's views on female sexuality, including the controversial concept of penis envy, and critiques his outdated ideas. Carolyn emphasizes the importance of selectively embracing Freud's insights while acknowledging the feminist reinterpretations that challenge his legacy. Join for a captivating exploration of Freud's life and theories!
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Freud Systematized The Unconscious
- Freud systematized the unconscious as a process rather than inventing it outright.
- He combined belief in the unconscious with free association to form psychoanalysis.
Sexuality As An Untethered Libido
- Freud argued sexual drive (libido) is central and can attach to any object, undermining strict heterosexual assumptions.
- He denied homosexuality was a disease and suggested unconscious homosexual object choices are universal.
Freud's Conventional Domestic Life
- Freud led a conventional bourgeois life: married Martha Bernays in 1886 and had six children.
- He became largely celibate after about 1895 and lived with sister-in-law Minna who acted as his intellectual companion.
