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Photo courtesy of mentalhealthnews.org |
Although I did find Freud in Civilization and Its Discontents somewhat difficult to comprehend, I was particularly interested in his argument concerning the individual and his role in society. He clearly states that humans are driven by their main goal, to attain happiness. However, this cannot be attained by oneself. It relies on their existence in the community. According to Freud, happiness cannot be attained unless the individual adapts to the world around him/her (134).
Freud then goes on to further explain this. He says that the development of the individual depends on two contradicting struggles. These are the “egoistic” and the “altruistic” struggles a person has within them. The egoistic refers to the everyday struggle a person has as they try to seek happiness in their lives. However, the altruistic is their drive to become one with the community. He seems to believe that if it weren’t for the urge at the center of all individuals to attain happiness than the unity of humanity could much more easily be achieved. Although I am not so sure I can agree with this, I do find it to be an idea worth taking a closer look at.
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