Some Aspects of the Psychology of the Unconscious in D. Uznadze's Set Theory.

Abstract

The article contains a brief overview of the main metatheoretical and conceptual ideas, as well as empirical data, of the general psychological theory of set developed by Dmitry Uznadze (1886-1950) and his followers. They are considered from the point of view of the systemic approach, the problem of the crisis of psychology and the task of building a comprehensive integrative theoretical system. The theory of set is a holistic system of views on the origin and implementation of mental activity. The article focuses on the ideas contained in this concept around the problem of the unconscious psyche. From the standpoint of the theory of set, an attempt is made to present a certain point of view on the issue of types of the unconscious psyche. Particular attention is paid to the critical assessment of the psychoanalytic understanding of the unconscious given in the works of D. Uznadze. In this regard, a brief overview of the discussions at the Tbilisi symposium on the unconscious in 1979 is presented, at which a remarkable dialog between the followers of psychoanalysis and the theory of set took place.