It is impossible to overlook the extent to which civilization is built upon a renunciation of instinct

It is impossible to overlook the extent to which civilization is built upon a renunciation of instinct

Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, believed that civilization is built upon a renunciation of instinct. He argued that human beings are born with powerful instincts and drives, such as the desire for sex and aggression, which must be repressed in order to live in a civilized society. According to Freud, civilization requires individuals to suppress their primal urges and conform to social norms and rules.

Freud's theory of the renunciation of instinct can be seen in his concept of the superego, which is the part of the psyche that represents society's moral standards and values. The superego acts as a kind of internal censor, punishing individuals for acting on their instincts and rewarding them for conforming to societal expectations. In this way, the renunciation of instinct is essential for maintaining social order and preventing chaos and anarchy.

Freud also believed that the renunciation of instinct is necessary for the development of the ego, which is the part of the psyche that mediates between the demands of the id (instinctual drives) and the superego (social norms). The ego helps individuals navigate the complexities of social life by balancing their instinctual desires with the need to conform to societal expectations. Without the renunciation of instinct, the ego would be overwhelmed by the demands of the id and society would descend into chaos.

Freud's theory of the renunciation of instinct has been criticized for being overly pessimistic and deterministic. Critics argue that it ignores the possibility of individuals finding fulfillment and happiness by expressing their instincts in a healthy and constructive way. However, Freud believed that the renunciation of instinct is a necessary sacrifice that individuals must make in order to live in a civilized society.