Between Knowledge and the Need to Defend Against It – According to "The Country Doctor" – Kafka

Abstract

This article discusses Kafka's story "The Country Doctor" through its traditional dynamic interpretation (Golomv, 1988) and an existentialist perspective. This perspective understands ontological helplessness as a central theme in understanding the individual. Traditional dynamic interpretation serves as a powerful tool for understanding human behavior and motivations; however, regarding ontological helplessness, it also serves as a means of escape and defense against it. By reading Kafka's story, one can better understand why it is important to defend against ontological helplessness. The question that arises from this is: Can psychoanalysis, especially in light of Kohut's (Kohut, 1984) contributions, address the ontological helplessness of the individual and his defensiveness toward it ?