Civilization and Its Discontents Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Civilization and Its Discontents - Essay Example The essay "Civilization and Its Discontents" talks about the central thesis of Sigmund Freud’s "Civilization and its Discontents" which is the assertion that the conflict between sexual needs and the societies restrictions is a big factor to human â€Å"dissatisfaction, aggression, hostility and ultimately, violence†. Given that the book was published in 1930, people’s mindsets were largely conservative, which led to protests and outcry against the book. But putting it in a purely scientific context, there is much truth in this thesis. Freud’s introduction to his book begins with the following lines: â€Å"Psycho-Analytic work has shown that these frustrations in respect of sexual life are especially unendurable to the so-called neurotics among us. These persons manufacture substitute-gratifications for themselves in their symptoms, which, however, are either painful in themselves or become the cause of suffering owing to the difficulties they create for the person's environment and society at large†¦ but culture demands other sacrifices besides that of sexual gratifications.† Further support for the Freudian view of human discontent could be found in Isabel Fonseca’s seminal work on the Gypsy tribes – Bury Me Standing. Fonseca attempts to decipher several aspects of the Gypsy way of life. The author shows that by virtue of remaining in their native geographies and not letting go of their primitive lifestyles, the Gypsies don’t live unfulfilled lives.