Sigmund Freud

Peter Gay

Civilization and its discontents

"... the sense of guilt as the most important problem in the development of civilization, and to show that the price we pay for our advancement in civilization is a loss of happiness"

First time reading Freud. The book seems to overflow with ideas and quotes that will require a second or third reading to digest.

Julien Chien

"... the sense of guilt as the most important problem in the development of civilization, and to show that the price we pay for our advancement in civilization is a loss of happiness"

First time reading Freud. The book seems to overflow with ideas and quotes that will require a second or third reading to digest.

Hannah Yang

I have 20 pages of notes on this book. It is truly thought-provoking, illuminating, and well-written. Freud writes clearly and presents his brilliant ideas well. My English teacher recommended I read this after she read one of my assignments, and I am very glad I did.

Civilization and Its Discontents (Penguin Modern Classics)

Alex Ker

Freud posits the discontents of society is the result of the suppression of our erotic energy and aggressive nature originating from the Id (related to the pleasure principle and palliative measures), the tension between Eros and Death, and stifling of these animal instincts by an external authority that develops the superego controlling the ego giving us emotions like guilt and remorse. But such is the price you pay by uniting men together in secure societies with nuclear family units, governed by laws in which stability is valued over intense pleasure, without adequate channels to express our desires and need for freedom.

Matt Morgan

Gigi

holly

Chris Zhu

Joe Bauldoff

Miles Silverstein

Sonia M

Carmen Maria

Heiki Riesenkampf

Morgan Holland

Alexandra

nina

Skye Sherman

Gustav Vallin

Esra A

Freud's epoch-making insights revolutionized our perception of the self, forming the foundation for psychoanalysis; here he presents his theory of an innate 'death drive' - arguing that civilisation distorts natural aggression to impose a terrible burden of guilt upon us.

Civilization and its discontents

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