Socrates View on Freud's Civilization and Its Discontents - Term Paper Example

Socrates View on Freud's Civilization and Its Discontents Assume that you are Socrates and you have read Freud's Civilization and Its Discontents. Write a short [2-page] essay reacting to what you have just read, giving reasons for what you say and referring to Freud's text painstakingly and, remember, you are Socrates reacting to Freud. While by human nature, there is sufficient basis to justify Freud’s proposition that human beings are governed by the ‘pleasure principle’ which apparently receives satisfaction through the instincts, a man who is sincerely cautious to avoid temptations and maintain reverence for wisdom would advance to a level that enables him to take control or even break being further governed by pleasure. In dealing with the reality, it may have become typical for the ego of a man to necessitate separating itself from the harsh truth of real inevitable circumstances, yet Freud must add that it is also through having a sense of genuine community, or of acknowledging the value of socialization and the distinct characteristic of companionship that would help resolve the alienating trait of the ego. To some extent, Freud may be met more than halfway in his claim that ego bears the counter potential of developing for itself an attribute which would make it become capable of securing happiness and fulfillment later on. This is the point where he provides adequate discourse of civilization and the tensions associated with the inner struggle of each individual to cope with its influence. However, Freud appears to draw inference at reducing this effort on arguing that the purpose of life executes fundamentally around the pleasure principle, designating projected human ends to a rather limited cause of shifting out of the cycle of consuming displeasure. It would have been better if, in the process of finding settlement with happiness and trying to rid oneself of suffering, highest human goal attainable which transcends discontents in the material world emerges in realization. He could have accounted for the possibility of going beyond the perception of pleasure as deeply embedded in every conscious faculty having the concern of gratifying the need to drive away incompetence. To Freud, it occurs that the ego assumes the chief role or is central in directing response as a human being attempts to explore various strategies by which to adapt to the environment in possession of elements of discontent to which an individual reacts to ascertain how particular circumstances can be worked to acquire the favor of securing contentment. In fairness though, ‘Civilization and Its Discontents’ signifies what Freud considers as a religious sentiment, brought about by an ‘oceanic feeling’ of wholeness, eternity, and limitlessness as if in a pure state of bliss. He elaborates nevertheless that such is of pathological origins which dissolve the boundary between ego and object of pleasure so that once this is achieved, one is led to a religious degree of relief with cares thrown away due to detachment of inclination to materialism which creates suffering from human weakness often predisposed to sexual desires and violent mode of aggression conventionally against figures of prominence. Freudian concept of ‘civilization’ refers to a man-made entity embodying materialization of human ideals that may eventually address proper gratification of instincts as well as serve to stimulate intellectual functions in order for the ego to manage its own foundation of placing balance between the ‘Id’ and the ‘Superego’. This is not significantly different from establishing a form of democracy which initially sustains measure of freedom and revolution desired by people yet this same democracy spontaneously guides the behavior of the latter to threats of evolving tyranny and disorder which are altogether unfavorable to the nation. On a psychoanalytical perspective of discussing strain between the civilization founded and the discontents generated thereafter, Freud has tapped into the subject quite well with respect to the confines of his psychiatric specialization. It could have been made further remarkable though if his work is enhanced by the regard for the cultivation of meditative abilities such as probing into life’s quest at depth along as the individual in conflict with ego carries on the struggle with a more positive attitude to seal ego with wisdom or philosophy that can be utilized and preserved as a shield to resist its frequent escape for relief from uncomfortable sense of dissatisfaction. Now assume that you are Freud and you have just read the Sermon on the Mount. Write a short [2-page] essay reacting to what you have read, giving reasons for what you say and referring to the text of the Sermon and, remember, you are supposed to be Freud reacting to Jesus' Sermon. In its exact thought and heart, the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ represents an instruction that likely nullifies the essence of ‘ego’ or at least removes it from the context of task-filled elimination of suffering. One necessarily aligns consciousness with beliefs that a supreme being, as God, can Himself give all the appropriate answers for men to cease living miserably due to iniquities committed out of weakness. It is but impossible to act in obedience readily by heart or without interference from drastic response by the sensitive ego. Consequently, the teachings of Jesus which Christians believe to possess the light of truth ought to be soulfully transforming to the extent that the functioning of ego is understood enough and not merely expect deed of instant faith which such doctrine subjects to test and judgment between right and wrong. Human psychology in relation to social, emotional, as well as spiritual aspect of personal development is way too complex that the ‘Sermon’, no matter how godly, could not just impose or demand spontaneous conviction in which a established faith is expected to discern that the ‘good’ are opulently rewarded and the ‘bad’ punished. ‘The Beatitudes’, in particular, stress which ones are ultimately privileged or ‘blessed’, enabling a biblical comprehension of God’s power as encompassing especially when it comes to the less fortunate, the poor, the sick ones, and anyone with related condition of being in such case that is primarily lacking experience of goodness or pleasure. A critical question that seeks to abolish discrimination of economic status may turn out to reason that if this is blessedness in its complete purpose then how should the rest with ego management problem be treated? Would the ‘rich’ be not blessed due to wickedness that results out of mental imbalance or incapacity? What fair enlightenment can this blessedness shed upon those whose incapable ego has by far caused too much pride and ill will? ‘Sermon on the Mount’ sounds as if one, regardless of psychological state, should abide by religious principles based on acquired belief or spiritual realization alone. Without much consideration to mending the ‘self’ with untoward habits beneath unconsciousness, listening to parables or biblical analogies might not contain the unique sensibility of obtaining the will to change for a potential follower. Read More