'The Conflict between Science and Religion in Freud and Zola'

Description

The Conflict between Science and Religion in Freud and Zola

Various references in Freud's writings to Émile Zola (1840–1902) reveal his fascination with the French writer. My contribution explores a remarkable parallel, if not direct influence of Zola on Freud. A parallel reading of Die Zukunft einer Illusion (1927) and Zola’s later work from Le docteur Pascal (1893) reveals a shared moral necessity to question the meaning of religion for humanity in favour of science. In Le docteur Pascal, the concluding novel of Zola’s Les Rougon-Macquart-cycle, the issue is the debate between science and religion in the quest for the meaning of life. It can also be seen as the initial impetus for the critique of religion as Zola elaborates in his later trilogy Les trois villes. Both Die Zukunft einer Illusion and Zola’s later work witness a conflict between scientific optimism taking imperative forms and the inescapable bankruptcy of religion. Both Zola and Freud literally stage the problematic, almost impossible dialogue between science and religion. Like Zola, Freud gives voice to an imaginary religious opponent. In short, my goal is twofold: I hope to contribute to an understanding of Zola's significance for Freud and to the fierce conflict between science and religion.

Period	12 Jun 2025
Event type	Conference
Location	ViennaShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International