Navigating the Abyss: Existential Psychotherapy and the Integration of Rage in Dostoevsky’s Underground Man

This paper explores the relevance of existential psychotherapy in addressing the pervasive issue of modern rage, using Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Notes from the Underground as a lens to examine the human condition. Drawing on existential and Jungian perspectives, it argues that rage, as a manifestation of the daimonic, is an intrinsic aspect of human existence that cannot be suppressed or medicalized without fragmenting the self. Through an analysis of the Underground Man’s psychological turmoil, the paper proposes that existential psychotherapy offers a pathway to wholeness by encouraging individuals to confront and integrate their rage within the context of their lived experiences. By situating rage within historical and cultural frameworks, this approach avoids reductive biomedical interpretations and fosters a deeper understanding of human emotions. The paper concludes with reflections on the contemporary relevance of these insights in addressing societal violence and alienation.