Civilization and Its Discontents (Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud)

`Civilization and its Discontents' is Freud's miniature opus. It is a superficial masterpiece that stretches further than any of his other works; he is reaching for an explanation for human nature in terms of the id-ego-superego structure of the individual as he exists in civilization. For Freud, human beings are characterized by Eros (Sex Drive) and Thanatos (Death Drive), which remain in opposition to one another. This small book is filled with as many interesting ideas as any work of modern philosophy. Freud adopts (perhaps a bit hastily), a Nietzschean position with regard to the role of religion and institutions of social morality which curb and shape primordial human drives. As a result, human beings, and civilizations as a whole remain unsatisfied and suffer from neuroses. He concludes with a discussion of human aggression, which manifests itself in the form of communalized human aggression. He wonders as to whether or not human beings will be able to overcome this drive. It seems to me that this question remains the most important for human beings in the 21st century. Will we be able to overcome our Thanatos and survive the destructive powers that we have created? I suspect that Freud will be better remembered as a thinker and philosopher than as an analyst or doctor precisely because he asks the questions that remain relevant for civilization today, and are likely to remain imperative in the future.

Freud continued writing into his old age. The three books* of this period are highly suitable for the general reader, that is, every seeker of knowledge.In 1930 when he was 74, He wrote "Civilization and Its Discontents" which, in its first words, scolds us gently. Our judgments are faulty. We fail to recognize and respect greatness; we allow ourselves to be misled--our oceanic, sensation of eternity to be misdirected. The subject matter in this book touches such diversities as the world's problems, religion, happiness and guilt with the deft hand.
Louis Menand's introduction contains valuable information on Freud's work, and Peter Gay's "Brief Life" tells of the author's origins and life. This book may be called "popular" in the best sense of that word.
*The Future of an Illusion, Civilization and Its Discontents & Thomas Woodrow Wilson a Psychological Study

A good book though a little wordy at times. Follows a train of thought from time to time just to illustrate that it's a dead end. Does it a lot to be honest.
The struggle to transform the inner primate into the higher being and all the twists and turns that lead men astray. To supress, to deny, to self-loathe, the fear of acceptance. "Civilization and Its Discontents" discusses the very dilemna of humanity's persistent emptiness and seemingly futile attempts to become an "enlightened" race and proposes the idea that the answer may very well lie in a simplistic new perception of where we come from and where we are going.
A satisfying read that I would recommend to anyone intrusted in the study of psychology/sociology and the dynamic evolution of consciousness.

I am currently reading this book for the fourth time I think. It was not a set text at uni, however a lecturer who I had a lot of respect for said it was in her top five and that I should read it. It is for most a reference book, however the content is such that it can be read even though mostly in small sections. The relevance of the topic is still current and probably one of the reasons why it is still in print. There are many reasons to criticise Freud and some of them are valid, however this text gives insight into the impact of culture and identity upon social systems. Freud makes the point that he is not a prophet and that may or may not be the case but the fact that this is one of his last books and he did not know much of what was happening in regard to World War 2, some of the dialogue is pretty much to the mark. I would recommend this book as a work of insight and for a new student to the work of Freud would serve as an introduction to some of the complexities of his work. I still prefer Lacan though.

A must read

one of Freud's best works,

In love with Freud more than ever!
Really interesting content!
Great for independent reading or for class. Got it for a class but for sure im going to read it again and again!