Kant and Kohut each present an earlier and a later philosophical system. Each author bases his two systems on a conception of the self which is importantly different from the earlier system to the later system. The later systems are more or less incompatible with the earlier systems but have the advantage of elegance and explanatory power beyond the earlier systems. This recognition of a fundamental change in paradigm is mandatory in order to avoid confusion in hopelessly trying to reconcile the later system of Kohut with traditional psychoanalysis, and to render clear the fact that Kohut's psychology of the self in the broad sense represents a fundamental departure from classical psychoanalysis and Freud's psychodynamic theory, just as Kant's ethical philosophy cannot be reconciled with Kant's critical philosophy. Psychiatrists and psychoanalysts will have to make a choice.
Ego Humans