Ernst Jentsch

German psychiatrist and author

Ernst Jentsch in 1908

Ernst Anton Jentsch (1867–1919) was a German psychiatrist and author, best known for his work on the concept of the "uncanny". His ideas have influenced various fields, including psychology, literature, and film studies.

Biography

Ernst Jentsch was born in Dresden, Kingdom of Saxony, in 1867. He pursued his medical studies at the University of Leipzig and later at the University of Freiburg, where he developed an interest in psychiatry. Jentsch's career was primarily focused on the study of mental disorders and the psychological aspects of human behavior.

The Uncanny

Jentsch is most renowned for his 1906 essay "On the Psychology of the Uncanny" ("Zur Psychologie des Unheimlichen"), where he explored the concept of the "uncanny"—a term used to describe a sense of unease or eeriness. Jentsch argued that the uncanny arises from intellectual uncertainty, particularly when something familiar is rendered strange or when there is doubt about whether an object is alive or inanimate.

Jentsch's work on the uncanny was later expanded upon by Sigmund Freud in his 1919 essay "The Uncanny" ("Das Unheimliche"), where Freud acknowledged Jentsch's contributions and further developed the concept by linking it to psychoanalysis.

Contributions to Psychiatry

In addition to his work on the uncanny, Jentsch made significant contributions to the field of psychiatry. He was particularly interested in the psychological underpinnings of mental disorders and the ways in which psychological phenomena could manifest in various forms of psychopathology. His research often focused on the intersection of psychology and neurology, exploring how mental processes could influence physical symptoms.

Legacy

Jentsch's ideas have had a lasting impact on various disciplines. In literature and film, the concept of the uncanny has been used to analyze works that evoke feelings of unease or horror. In psychology, his work laid the groundwork for further exploration of how humans perceive and react to the unfamiliar or the ambiguous.

Related pages

• Sigmund Freud
• The Uncanny (essay)
• Psychoanalysis
• Psychiatry