Beyond objectivism and relativism in dream interpretation

Terwee

pp. 163-169

in: Stam, Leendert Mos, Warren Thorngate, Bernie Kaplan (eds), Recent trends in theoretical psychology, Berlin, Springer, 1993

Abstract

First, I discuss the epistemological status of dreams and dream interpretations. The latter may be seen as descriptions of the dreamer's conflicts and scenarios, or as enrichments of the dreamer's scenarios. Then, by way of example, I compare fragments of four interpretations of one dream. I conclude that dream experts are generally able to avoid the pitfalls of theoretical bias and subjectivity, though they do not agree in every detail. In order for a truthful interpretation to be a fruitful starting point for self scrutiny by the dreamer, it should neither be objective, nor subjective.