Freud Civilization And Its Discontents

Throughout history, we have seen countless murders, wars, and destruction. This violence has never subsided and that proves it is an innate part of the human species. Sigmund Freud’s Civilzation and its Discontents explains how civilization is necessary to suppress human’s innate aggression. By comparing civilization with the human psyche, analyzing instinct, and defining civilization, Freud shows the aggressive nature of man and gives us a look at the truth of humanity. Humans have always shown violence towards each other. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that human instincts are bad, greedy, and aggressive. Freud states, “Men are not gentle creatures who want to be loved” (Freud 68). While this may seem farfetched all the war murder and rape proves Freud’s statement that we are aggressive creatures. Whether we want to be loved or not, we do have a strong capacity for anger violence and murder. Freud says, “Life, as we find it, is too hard for us” (Freud 23). This statement I believe is what makes the aggression of humans make sense. It is a universal and common feeling that we are not strong enough that the world is too difficult. Therefore, humans build walls of defenses to prevent their own destruction. Freud says
Civilization is necessary and important but it is not perfect and cannot prevent all violence. The discontents, displeasure, and regret felt by the individuals and the whole are caused by the human instinct for violence. As much as civilization tries to limit said violence, Freud says that it is impossible to do so completely. While as a whole civilization may have control over society, the individual psyche still can affect a lot. We can put as many rules and laws as we want on people but in the end, they will still have free will, impulsivity of their id and the means to act