[Ledermann, a German-born medical doctor who specializes in homeopathic medicine, is the author of Existential Neurosis (1972). In the following excerpt from a favorable review of Das Menschenbild der Seelenheilkunde, he examines Frankl's assertion that modern psychologism must recognize a spiritual dimension in human life.]

"A Criticism of Dynamic Psychologism" is the sub-title of this book [Das Menschenbild der Seelenheilkunde]. "—ism" stands for a weltanschauung. Psychology is a science and uses certain concepts which result from a certain theory. All science is tentative, as one theory is replaced by another in the course of time. "—isms" are dogmatic. When they are introduced into the realm of science they lead to hypostatization, i.e. a scientific concept is made into an all-embracing entity. In the case of psychologism man becomes the result of his instinctual or social or archetypal forces. These are conceived as driving forces. As a result his spiritual nature is ignored. Frankl called it a spiritual dimension. Values disappeared as true and independent realities, the meaning of life is lost. The result is spiritual frustration, which Frankl has recognized as the outstanding modern form of neurosis.

I agree with this criticism of modern medicine. Frankl has had the courage to show up clearly the fallacy of psychologism which threatens to undermine the spiritual aspect of human existence. I differ from Frankl in his denial of drives or instincts in man … [He] says they are only "abstractions", quoting Wilhelm Keller. Concepts are necessary to build up science, and of course they are, and cannot be anything else but, abstractions. The mistake of psychologism is to ignore the limitations of the science of psychology.