Viktor Tausk
Encyclopedia
Viktor Tausk was a pioneer psychoanalyst and neurologist
. A student and a colleague of Sigmund Freud
, he was the earliest exponent of psychoanalytical concepts with regard to clinical psychosis
and the personality
of the artist.
and soon began to contribute papers.
In 1919 after he had stepped out from Freud's shadow, Tausk published a paper on the origin of a delusion common to a wide array of schizophrenic patients, namely that an alien device, malignant and remote, had influenced their thoughts and their behavior. This device was referred to as the Influencing Machine and the paper was called On the Origin of the "Influencing Machine" in Schizophrenia. It is the most well known of his publications, reaching beyond his own field of research into others, such as literary theory
for example.
had stopped Tausk’s treatment after Freud had demanded it, and after a complicated relation with Sigmund Freud and Lou Andreas-Salomé
, Tausk committed suicide.
Freud wrote to Salomé that "I confess that I do not really miss him; I had long realised that he could be of no further service; indeed that he constituted a threat to the future."
Neurologist
A neurologist is a physician who specializes in neurology, and is trained to investigate, or diagnose and treat neurological disorders.Neurology is the medical specialty related to the human nervous system. The nervous system encompasses the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. A specialist...
. A student and a colleague of Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud , born Sigismund Schlomo Freud , was an Austrian neurologist who founded the discipline of psychoanalysis...
, he was the earliest exponent of psychoanalytical concepts with regard to clinical psychosis
Psychosis
Psychosis means abnormal condition of the mind, and is a generic psychiatric term for a mental state often described as involving a "loss of contact with reality"...
and the personality
Personality psychology
Personality psychology is a branch of psychology that studies personality and individual differences. Its areas of focus include:* Constructing a coherent picture of the individual and his or her major psychological processes...
of the artist.
Career
Tausk had been a lawyer and writer when he began to study medicine in Vienna around 1910. He joined the Vienna Psychoanalytic SocietyVienna Psychoanalytic Society
The Vienna Psychoanalytic Society was formerly known as the Wednesday Psychological Society. They commenced their meetings in Freud’s apartment in 1902...
and soon began to contribute papers.
In 1919 after he had stepped out from Freud's shadow, Tausk published a paper on the origin of a delusion common to a wide array of schizophrenic patients, namely that an alien device, malignant and remote, had influenced their thoughts and their behavior. This device was referred to as the Influencing Machine and the paper was called On the Origin of the "Influencing Machine" in Schizophrenia. It is the most well known of his publications, reaching beyond his own field of research into others, such as literary theory
Literary theory
Literary theory in a strict sense is the systematic study of the nature of literature and of the methods for analyzing literature. However, literary scholarship since the 19th century often includes—in addition to, or even instead of literary theory in the strict sense—considerations of...
for example.
Freud and death
On the morning of July 3, 1919 after Helene DeutschHelene Deutsch
Helene Deutsch was an Austrian-American psychoanalyst and colleague of Sigmund Freud. She was the first psychoanalyst to specialize in women.- Life :...
had stopped Tausk’s treatment after Freud had demanded it, and after a complicated relation with Sigmund Freud and Lou Andreas-Salomé
Lou Andreas-Salomé
Lou Andreas-Salomé was a Russian-born psychoanalyst and author. Her diverse intellectual interests led to friendships with a broad array of distinguished western luminaries, including Nietzsche, Wagner, Freud, and Rilke.- Early years :Lou Salomé was born in St...
, Tausk committed suicide.
Freud wrote to Salomé that "I confess that I do not really miss him; I had long realised that he could be of no further service; indeed that he constituted a threat to the future."
Selected bibliography
- Victor Tausk. Sexuality, War and Schizophrenia: Collected Psychoanalytic Papers (Philanthropy and Society) (1990) ISBN 0-88738-365-3
Books on Viktor Tausk
- Paul Roazen. Brother Animal: The Story of Freud and Tausk ISBN 0-8147-7395-8
- Kurt R. Eissler. Victor Tausk's Suicide (1983) ISBN 0-8236-6735-9
- Kurt R. Eissler. Talent and genius: The fictitious case of Tausk contra Freud (1971)ISBN 0-8021-0089-9