On January 3rd, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 3, Chapters XIII & XIV. The following chapter summaries were prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen.
Chapter XIII “On the Theory of Hallucination†examines the psychological dynamics and functions of the hallucinations. Adler starts presenting a short criticism of a physicalistic and materialist theory of the mind. Psychology cannot be based on the physical transmittance of chemical chain-reactions in the nervous system; mind is an organ that relates the person to the world and guides the will in a direction characteristic of the individual. The Adler continues discussing hallucinations in the light of some case studies. Adler demonstrates that hallucinations are a means of psychological and social adaptation that leads the person astray. A hallucinating person builds for himself/herself a second world in which hallucination has validity because logic no longer matters so much.
Chapter XIV “On Educating Parents†is a study on a difficult theme that was to become one of Adler’s trade-marks. Adler remarks that children exhibit the tendency to resist the word as well as the authority of the educators. There are some important comments on the aggression of the child, and how to handle it. Adler says, somewhat surprisingly, that “the best advice is to learn from children.†Adler denies that there are any universal rules. Pedagogy is not science but art. There are so many fine observations in this paper that it is impossible to try to summarize them. Then Adler makes a classification of the problems of the educators, and how to help them to alleviate these problems. Adler concludes that the educators with problems are often very similar to neurotic persons. “The primary characteristic of such people is the struggle against the other sex.†One way to alleviate these problems in the long term is to have more equality in society, especially equality between sexes.
To prepare for a discussion of Volume 3 of "The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler," order your copy at
http://go.ourworld.nu/hstein/cwaa-v3.htm.