Revisiting the Freud-Klein controversies fifty years later

This paper examines the contribution to the study of psychoanalytic controversy made possible by the publication of the Freud-Klein Controversies. The availability of the complete minutes allows us as never before to dissect a historical, scientific controversy immersed in passion and intertwined with issues of power, economics and educational control. For the first time in the analytic literature we are able to follow closely how each side conceptualised the nature of preverbal development, and how and where and with what consequences polemics and artificial polarisation contaminated the dialogue. The problematic relation between theory and data is illustrated very sharply and many of the methodological issues encountered are highly relevant to current disagreements within our field. A careful reading shows at which points opportunities for bridging gaps were scuttled, and how ensuing developments in our field were coloured by the failure of a true resolution. Particularly remarkable are the 'Memoranda on Technique' written by a number of participants. These very moving, brief essays document the process of acquiring a personal approach to analytic work. The section by Brierley deserves a special mention for its excellence, clarity and modesty.