Freud And Freud's Discussion Between Civilization And Society

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Freud believed that tension continually exists between civilization and the individual. Civilization curbs the individual from pursuing his or her basic instincts as an animal would pursue. There is an irony here in that humans, in trying to pursue happiness, in building or creating a civilization or society, are actually making themselves unhappy with all the rules and regulations enforced or imposed on them. We are not aware of our repressed feelings unless undergoing psychoanalysis according to Freud. Based on Freud’s belief, society needs to take some responsibility for someone like Manson’s failure to conform. Society, as well as his family, let him down with abuses that Freud would directly blame. Manson’s mother abandoned him, and the state institutions did not protect him or …show more content…

In turn, we have also hurt our planet with our inventions in ways that no other species can take responsibility for. Our minds have created the best and the worst on our planet. In terms of biology, as humans, Freud believes our aim is self- preservation through the reality principle. Animals are more biologically rigid in their behavior and determination. It is interesting to note that Darwin, on the other hand, believed that humans are just one species of animal and that our nature is deterministic and responds to the environment. Freud differs in that he distinguishes humans by our ability for knowledge, to think rationally, and to investigate or analyze or psychoanalyze why people do what they do. For example, steal, murder, write a song, etc. It is Freud who can explain what went wrong with Manson and his mind. Freud stated that humans are driven by their unconscious drives and instincts, which include aggression and sex. This would be true of the animal kingdom as well. However, all humans have an unconscious wish for death, or a death instinct. Self-destructive behavior comes out of the death drive. Aggression and violence is when the death instinct is

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