SigmundFreud; GeorgBüchner; Brainanatomy; Research; Medical history
Abstract :
[en] Background One of the authors’ encounter with one of
Sigmund Freud’s original works about the anatomy of the
human brain stem and his interest in the scientist, anatomist,
philosopher, writer and revolutionaryGeorg Büchner led to reexamination
and review of the original writings of two major
19th century protagonists of brain anatomy research. The aim
of the authors is to highlight the achievements of both Freud
and Büchner in the field of comparative brain morphology.
Methods The medical and philosophical publications of
Georg Büchner were reviewed with reference to the
historical-critical edition of his complete works and writings
(the so-called Marburg edition). Evaluation of the neuroanatomical
achievements of Sigmund Freud was based on a
summary of his publications and also partially on his autobiographical
writings.
Results After careful review of their publications both Freud
and Büchner should be acknowledged as brain scientists
focusing particularly on comparative morphology. Both chose
fish as the subject of their macroscopic (Büchner) and microscopic
(Freud) neuroanatomical studies, and both cut across
their own language and cultural space by continuing their
work in France. In interpreting their findings both were influenced
by their respective contemporary methodological
schools of thought. Büchner became a soul scientist/
psychologist by turning to the writing of literary texts,
heralding the end of his idealistic and metaphysical interpretation
of life. Likewise, Freud increasingly devoted himself to
the destiny of man and his “conditio humana,” eventually
turning away from anatomical brain research.
Conclusion Review of the biographies and medical-scientific,
as well as philosophical publications, of Georg Büchner and
Sigmund Freud reveal striking parallels between the two
researchers in addition to common insights that have generally
been ignored or only marginally addressed in the past. Both
should be appreciated and remembered as forerunners of
today’s neuroscientific community.
