34 pages • 1 hour read
Sigmund FreudCivilization And Its Discontents
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1930A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Civilization and Its Discontents, Freud explores the conflict between societal norms and individual desires, examining how civilizations aim to channel human drives towards constructive ends while individuals struggle with social conformity versus personal yearnings. He discusses human suffering's origins and responses, the evolution of social codes, societal neuroses, and the role of the super-ego in maintaining social order. The book includes discussions on substance abuse and insanity.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Sigmund Freud's Civilization And Its Discontents elicits varied reactions. Positively, readers commend its profound insights into human psychology and societal structure. Critically, some find its theories outdated and Freudian concepts overly complex. The book remains a thought-provoking, albeit challenging, exploration of the tension between individual desires and societal expectations.
Who Should Read Civilization And Its Discontents?
Readers with a keen interest in psychological theories, human behavior, and societal critique would find Civilization and Its Discontents by Sigmund Freud engaging. Fans of analytical works like Jung's Modern Man in Search of a Soul and Fromm's The Art of Loving will appreciate Freud's exploration of the tension between individual desires and societal expectations.