The impact of philosophical wisdom on the pioneers of psychoanalytic work i
s presented in this article, in particular the influence of Schiller's aest
hetics on the theoretical and clinical work of Otto Rank. The essay will co
mpare and contrast Schiller's major themes-in particular his notions of "th
e aesthetic impulse," "will," and his concept of harmonia-with aspects of R
ank's contributions, namely, his notions of creativity and the art of livin
g. Drawing from Schiller's aesthetic vision, Rank's notion that art and pla
y are foundational sources for healing is described in the author's own cli
nical work.