Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality

Freud often mentions in the first essay, “The Sexual Aberrations,” that sexual abnormality and normality cannot realistically be separated from each other. What are the implications of this idea for Freud’s thought about sexuality in general? What criteria does he use for determining whether or not someone has become pathological in their sexuality?

Freud frequently laments the fact that topics he considers important—such as sexual development in childhood—are misunderstood and under-researched. He also admits the shortcomings of his own investigations, due to the novelty of the field. Consider the development of sexological research in the 19th century, including the work of Krafft-Ebing, with its elaborate discussion of sexual pathologies. How does Freud build on their work? Why were Freud’s ideas and methods innovative? How did he influence his contemporaries?

Consider Freud’s attitude toward homosexuality, or inversion. On one hand, he acknowledges the important (and often accepted) role homosexual bonds played in many ancient societies, such as ancient Greece. But on the other hand, he still considers it to be a perversion and something that normal development must resist falling into. How does this ambiguity manifest itself in Freud’s thought in these essays? Is Freud’s stance as a scientifically minded empirical investigator contradicted by the important role played by normative forms of sexuality in these essays?