Scientific psychology in Eugen Bleulers work

The name of Eugen Bleuler is usually known in the context of the definition and conceptualization of schizophrenic disorders. Main other topics, less known in literature, are alcoholism, forensic psychiatry and general psycho logical topics of meaning of consciousness, formation of motive and will. B leulers point of view presents itself as an empirically-based and anti-phil osophic one, definitely deterministic concerning the topic of human "freedo m of will". Eugen Bleuler refers to an already (especially by Richard Semen ) systematically developed theory called "mnemism" that he interpreted and applied to the psychological circumstances mentioned above. That theory of "mnemism", that can be most adequately described as a biogenetic-vitalistic theory, is assuming, that all organic life - independent of the possibilit y of a self-reflecting consciousness - is able to learn experiences made by analysis of environment and to pass it on following generations. Pattern o f stimulus reactions are in the sense of this theory memorized and reactiva ted under similar situational circumstances by the psychological mode of as sociation. The influence of psychoanalytical theories, especially the presu med importance of infantil sexuality, on Bleulers understanding of a medica l psychology seems to fade over the years.