John Richter

Assignment #4

            In Civilization and its Discontents, Freud discusses the state of civilization, and basically how it works/doesn’t work, because of the nature of the human being.  Freud says that in order for civilization to operate correctly, the answer must be sought after in the individual.  This presents a whole new set of problems, as the human being is a complex and complicated organism. 

            The primary alteration that needs to take place in the individual is the curbing of their aggressive tendencies.  Freud argues that every person is inherently aggressive and destructive, and civilization and society do not look kindly on these types of things.  While indeed is very effective in self-preservation, it does not lend itself to upholding a civilized, functional society.  The nature of society is about people working together and being civil in their actions with one another, and all working towards a common goal.  The goal of a civilization is obviously to live and thrive together, along with smaller goals with smaller groups of people.  The world around us should function based on the actions of the individuals making it up.  When this happens, civilization will work as planned.  People cannot be hostile and anti-social in this society if it is meant to work.

            The difficulties that society faces are directly linked to the natural disposition of the individual.  People are like this because of their instinct for self-preservation.  People are instinctually inclined to take actions in order to survive, and that requires cunning and aggressive action.  This can obviously impede on the progress of a society’s goal to function and operate together smoothly.  Harmony in society, and inner peace in the individual can only be achieved when one learns to control their aggressive nature.  Herein the problem lies.  The human being does not take kindly to this thought that they are aggressive and anti-social, because they have a fancy self-image of themselves.  They do not realize that the violence they practice and demonstrate throughout society is reflecting their instinctual compulsions.  Therefore it is extremely difficult for this harmony to ever be achieved.  And until people do realize this, society will still have its problems it does.

            Freud’s idea of harmony in society is held up by this instinctual characteristic in humans to be aggressive in order to survive.  He argues that once this is done, civilization will be in harmony and can function ideally.  Freud does not, however, give any suggestions as to how society is supposed to extinguish this aggressive nature.  It is left up to the individual then, to get over themselves and their view of humankind as the superior, intelligent, totally conscious force in society; fore it is far from it.