Our Inner Conflicts: A Constructive Theory of Neurosis

by Karen Horney

Book Overview

Unlike Freud, Horney does not regard neurosis as rooted in instinct. In her words, her theory is constructive because "it allows us for the first time to tackle and resolve neurotic hopelessness. . . . Neurotic conflicts cannot be resolved by rational decision. . . . But they] can be resolved by changing the conditions within the personality that brought them into being."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393309401
• ISBN13: 9780393309409
• Release Date: October 1992
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Know Thyself..

You've read the above reviews, and I second them all, so I will not repeat them. Let me just add that you will want a pencil and highlighter, because you will be underlining, circling, and making notes to yourself in the margin. This is an irreplaceable tool if you're into self-cultivation. A giant step UP from the abundant new-age spiritual soul-candy out there. It is not a book on spirituality, but identifying and correcting our OWN inner conflicts is the cornerstone of spiritual practice; therefore I highly recommend it for seekers and cerebrals alike. Everyone has heard the saying "Know Thyself"; this book will help you do it.

takes up where SELF-ANALYSIS left off...

...and traces, not just the "pathways" of inner conflict, but their intertwinings, demonstrating with case examples how problems in one area of one's life put roots into many areas.

Excellent; A worthwhile read

Our Inner Conflicts offers fascinating insight into the conflicts which frustrate all of us to some extent, as well as a look into the psychology of the people that tend to frustrate us. I have read this book several times over the years, and each time have taken away something new. While this book is not as detailed as Horney's Neurosis and Human Growth, it is certainly more accessible. I recommend reading them both.

Very insightful by a very knowledgable author!!

I learned alot about myself and other people by reading this book. You learn about inner conflicts, what causes them, their symptoms, the consequences of having them, and how to go about resolving them. There is an emphasis on inner conflicts which are not conciously acknowledged. This book would be relevant to almost anyone as it seems that almost everyone has them to one degree or another as inner conflicts, as Karen points out, are a normal thing to have.