Martin Buber, God, and Psychoanalysis

Abstract

Martin Buber's existential philosophy of dialogue has had a profound effect on many of the social sciences. This article seeks to elucidate the significant impact Buber has had on psychology, principally psychoanalysis. Particularly, I wish to show how Buber's religious beliefs are basic to his system of dialogical psychotherapy. I also hope to show how various aspects of the dialogical relationship are analogous to certain notions found in contemporary psychoanalysis. For Buber, God is at the heart of every human encounter. He is the “Eternal Thou” that is experienced in every genuine meeting between two people. This conviction makes the value of the person incalculable. It is with this vision of humankind that Buber proceeded to give to the world his idea of the I–Thou relationship.