The Connection between Civilization and Individuals in...

In Civilization and Its Discontents, Sigmund Freud writes primarily to examine the relationship between the individual and society. Through Freuds examination of the relationship, a deeper understanding of the complexity of mental life is realized. Freud begins to develop the relationship early in the work by depicting the most primitive realizations of self and the most primitive realizations of the external world. He further develops this relationship through the musing of sexual desire and its connections to love, which he claims, lead to the formation of families and then later groups of humanity that came to comprise civilization as a whole. Through questions raised concerning society, culture, history and the self, Freud is able to†¦show more content†¦This fulfillment would later lead to love and the formation of families. In addition, the ego seeks not only pleasure in the fulfillment of sexual desires, but in companionship of a more plutonic nature. This form of com panionship, according to Freud, leads to the formation of civilization. Freud writes that civilization is perpetuated and developed through the internalization of natural aggressiveness, and that the repression of such aggressiveness in the interest of civilization leads to the formation of the superego and thus feelings of guilt, not only for carrying out such aggressiveness, but for musing upon it. Therefore, Freud seeks to imply that the relationship between mental life and civilization is intertwined, that they are dependent upon one another. Freuds realization that mental life and civilization are so connected helps him to achieve a deeper understanding of the complexity of mental life. He comes to conclude that the development of each, if not the same process applied to different kinds of object, then they are at the very least similar. Freuds examination of the relationship between civilization and the individual allows him to note that the individual seeks to serve itself while at the same time serving civilization, just as civilization seeks to create unity among humans while perpetuating its own self. Freud also comes to conclude through hisShow MoreRelatedFreud s Theory Of Instincts And The Individual Psyche1550 Words   |  7 PagesIn Sigmund Freud’s â€Å"Civilization and its Discontents†, we are introduced to a new outlook in the way we view our lives due to his analysis of civilization and how it has affected our happiness. Freud uses his theory of instincts in order to explain what encourages us as well as how our behavior is all linked together and is motivated by our instincts. He explains why humans seek happiness and how it is one of the toughest things to achieve. 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