From Depth Psychology to Deep Ecology: Scepticism and Psychoanalysis in Arne Næss’s Thinking
Scandinavica March 30, 2026 Tommaso Priviero
This paper examines how Arne Næss's engagement with psychoanalysis shaped his 'philosophy of life' or 'ecosophy'. It identifies three intersections: his exploration of philosophical scepticism as a psychotherapeutic tool, his critical view of psychoanalysis's scientific status, and his interest in a 'Spinozistic psychoanalysis'. While Næss valued certain psychoanalytic ideas, he placed them within a broader, pluralistic philosophical framework, challenging absolutist epistemological claims. The paper also considers how Næss's emphasis on scepticism as a philosophical and therapeutic stance contributes to psychoanalytic theory.