Freud & NietzscheFreud & Nietzsche

FreudFreud On ViolenceOn Violence The ConscienceThe Conscience Freud’s SolutionFreud’s Solution Critique of FreudCritique of Freud

NietzscheNietzsche Nietzsche, Plato and AristotleNietzsche, Plato and Aristotle Natural vs. Supernatural ValuesNatural vs. Supernatural Values

Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud

I. Freud and RousseauI. Freud and Rousseau

II. Freud's Methods and ModelsII. Freud's Methods and Models

III. Freud on SexIII. Freud on Sex

IV. Freud on ViolenceIV. Freud on Violence

V. The Conscience (Superego)V. The Conscience (Superego)

VI. Freud's InfluenceVI. Freud's Influence

VII. CritiqueVII. Critique

Freud & RousseauFreud & Rousseau

Like Rousseau, Freud sees the root of all Like Rousseau, Freud sees the root of all problems in a mismatch between our anti-problems in a mismatch between our anti-social natures and the impositions of social natures and the impositions of society. society.

Unlike Rousseau, he is ambivalent about Unlike Rousseau, he is ambivalent about whether society is worth the cost.whether society is worth the cost.

Sees the value of technology, improved Sees the value of technology, improved nutrition and health.nutrition and health.

The Unnaturalness of SocietyThe Unnaturalness of Society

Socialization is an unnatural imposition -- Socialization is an unnatural imposition -- results in "discontents".results in "discontents".

Although he talks about "civilization", the Although he talks about "civilization", the characteristics he mentions (taboos on sex characteristics he mentions (taboos on sex and violence) are universal.and violence) are universal.

Freud contrasts humans with social insects, Freud contrasts humans with social insects, who seem well-adapted to a communal who seem well-adapted to a communal existence. An “evolutionary lag”.existence. An “evolutionary lag”.

Freud's Methods and ModelsFreud's Methods and Models

Freud: the essence of a thing is to be found Freud: the essence of a thing is to be found by tracing its beginnings. by tracing its beginnings.

Contrast Aristotle, according to whom the Contrast Aristotle, according to whom the essence of a thing is found in its final state, essence of a thing is found in its final state, its telos.its telos.

Examples: our sense of beauty (essentially Examples: our sense of beauty (essentially sexual) and our conscience (essentially sexual) and our conscience (essentially parental).parental).

Universal HedonismUniversal Hedonism

Much of Freud's theory is designed to Much of Freud's theory is designed to explain apparent counter-examples to this, explain apparent counter-examples to this, such as religious asceticism, devotion to such as religious asceticism, devotion to artistic or intellectual ideals, neurotic and artistic or intellectual ideals, neurotic and psychotic behavior.psychotic behavior.

In each case, the apparently non-hedonistic In each case, the apparently non-hedonistic behavior is simply a way of avoiding hidden behavior is simply a way of avoiding hidden pains, or receiving displaced gratification.pains, or receiving displaced gratification.

Three-part model of the mindThree-part model of the mind

Id -- pleasure principle, libidoId -- pleasure principle, libido Ego -- reality principle, reasonEgo -- reality principle, reason Superego -- conscience, internal authoritySuperego -- conscience, internal authority

Much that goes on in the mind is unconscious. Much that goes on in the mind is unconscious. Conflicts between id and superego are Conflicts between id and superego are managed through "secret code" of symbols, managed through "secret code" of symbols, both in dreams and in neurotic behavior.both in dreams and in neurotic behavior.

Freud On SexFreud On Sex In state of nature, humans gratified themselves In state of nature, humans gratified themselves

without restriction, in a great variety of ways.without restriction, in a great variety of ways. Civilization attempts to confine us to Civilization attempts to confine us to

permanent monogamy. This involves a net loss permanent monogamy. This involves a net loss of pleasure.of pleasure.

The "sublimation" (diversion) of erotic The "sublimation" (diversion) of erotic attraction yields "aim-inhibited" eros = attraction yields "aim-inhibited" eros = friendship. This sublimated eros is the glue that friendship. This sublimated eros is the glue that holds society together.holds society together.

Freud On ViolenceFreud On Violence Humans have a built-in need to act out a Humans have a built-in need to act out a

certain quantity of violence.certain quantity of violence. Society controls this by: (1) providing Society controls this by: (1) providing

scapegoats, (2) by internalizing the violence, scapegoats, (2) by internalizing the violence, directing back at the self, resulting in a directing back at the self, resulting in a conscience (superego).conscience (superego).

Compare E. O. Wilson's account of Compare E. O. Wilson's account of aggression in aggression in On Human NatureOn Human Nature, pp. 101-, pp. 101-120.120.

The ConscienceThe Conscience

Suppression and internalization of Suppression and internalization of aggression leads to a vicious cycle: aggression leads to a vicious cycle: The more outward violence the conscience The more outward violence the conscience

suppresses, the more aggression is channeled suppresses, the more aggression is channeled into the conscience, making the conscience still into the conscience, making the conscience still more stringent and exacting.more stringent and exacting.

Society tends to over-develop the conscience, Society tends to over-develop the conscience, resulting in impossible and overly-costly resulting in impossible and overly-costly demands. E.g., the ethic of universal love.demands. E.g., the ethic of universal love.

Freud’s InfluenceFreud’s Influence

Despite Freud's ambivalence, the major Despite Freud's ambivalence, the major influence of Freud's work has been to influence of Freud's work has been to motivate an attempt to eliminate sexual motivate an attempt to eliminate sexual repression and guilt.repression and guilt.

This is ironic, since if it were successful, the This is ironic, since if it were successful, the result would be (according to Freud's result would be (according to Freud's theory) the destruction of society.theory) the destruction of society.

Freud’s Tragedy of the CommonsFreud’s Tragedy of the Commons Tragedy of the commons: what is best for Tragedy of the commons: what is best for

each of us individually is disastrous for each of us individually is disastrous for society collectively.society collectively.

Problem: once we've unmasked the Problem: once we've unmasked the conscience, revealing it to be nothing more conscience, revealing it to be nothing more than an internalized mechanism of social than an internalized mechanism of social control, how do we restore its authority?control, how do we restore its authority?

Freud’s SolutionFreud’s Solution

He doesn't offer one. He doesn't offer one. Psychotherapy can help ameliorate the Psychotherapy can help ameliorate the

discontents, by moderating the superego, discontents, by moderating the superego, but this is only a partial victory.but this is only a partial victory.

Critique of FreudCritique of Freud

A. Problem of the origin and durability of A. Problem of the origin and durability of society.society.

The mismatch between an anti-social nature The mismatch between an anti-social nature and social organization is unprecedented in and social organization is unprecedented in the biological world.the biological world.

How could social organization have moved so How could social organization have moved so far beyond biological function?far beyond biological function?

E.g, chimps vs. orangutansE.g, chimps vs. orangutans

InconsistenciesInconsistencies Inconsistencies between Freud’s ethical Inconsistencies between Freud’s ethical

reductionism and his own ethical reductionism and his own ethical commitments.commitments.

Justice:Justice: (1) Freud appeals to a transcendent standard, as (1) Freud appeals to a transcendent standard, as

grounds for faulting traditional sexual morality.grounds for faulting traditional sexual morality. (2) Yet, Freud argues that nature is unfair, and that (2) Yet, Freud argues that nature is unfair, and that

justice is nothing but a social construction.justice is nothing but a social construction.

Love:Love: (1) Love is merely aim-inhibited sexuality. The (1) Love is merely aim-inhibited sexuality. The

sex drive is only one of many drives, including the sex drive is only one of many drives, including the death drive.death drive.

(2) Yet Freud clearly pictures (at the end of the (2) Yet Freud clearly pictures (at the end of the book) the conflict between Love and Death as a book) the conflict between Love and Death as a conflict between Good and Evil.conflict between Good and Evil.

Isn't the instinct for death (violence) just as Isn't the instinct for death (violence) just as much a part of human nature, so equally good? much a part of human nature, so equally good? What's the basis for the distinction?What's the basis for the distinction?

NietzscheNietzsche

Nietzshe, Plato and AristotleNietzshe, Plato and Aristotle Natural vs. Supernatural ValuesNatural vs. Supernatural Values Nietzsche’s Critique of Faith, Hope & LoveNietzsche’s Critique of Faith, Hope & Love

Nietzsche, Plato and AristotleNietzsche, Plato and Aristotle

A. Teleology in NietzscheA. Teleology in Nietzsche Nietzsche, like Plato and Aristotle, has a Nietzsche, like Plato and Aristotle, has a

teleological conception of human nature.teleological conception of human nature. The final cause, natural end = a complete The final cause, natural end = a complete

life, lived according to instinct & natural life, lived according to instinct & natural wisdomwisdom

Evidences of teleologyEvidences of teleology1. Contrast between health and sickness, 1. Contrast between health and sickness,

advancing life and decadence.advancing life and decadence. Applied to our mental, spiritual life, as well as to Applied to our mental, spiritual life, as well as to

ordinary physiology.ordinary physiology. Compare Plato's use of the same metaphor in the Compare Plato's use of the same metaphor in the

GorgiasGorgias..

2. Human life is guided by instincts, drives, 2. Human life is guided by instincts, drives, whose purpose is to move us toward a whose purpose is to move us toward a complete, fully human existence.complete, fully human existence.

Nietzsche on the Classical VirtuesNietzsche on the Classical Virtues

The word virtue in Greek (arete) and Latin The word virtue in Greek (arete) and Latin has a meaning that isn't limited to morality. has a meaning that isn't limited to morality. Any kind of strength or competency (like Any kind of strength or competency (like intelligence, wit, strength, endurance) would intelligence, wit, strength, endurance) would count as a "virtue".count as a "virtue".

Moral virtues are those virtues that concern Moral virtues are those virtues that concern one's character, one's capacity for rational one's character, one's capacity for rational choice and action.choice and action.

Seven "cardinal virtues"Seven "cardinal virtues"Natural:Natural:

CourageCourage Temperance (self-control, moderation)Temperance (self-control, moderation) Practical wisdom (prudence)Practical wisdom (prudence) JusticeJustice

Supernatural:Supernatural: FaithFaith HopeHope Love (charity)Love (charity)

Nietzsche’s AttitudeNietzsche’s Attitude

Nietzsche says nothing against the natural Nietzsche says nothing against the natural virtues. In fact, he repeatedly affirms them.virtues. In fact, he repeatedly affirms them. Example: N.'s attitude toward marriage (p. Example: N.'s attitude toward marriage (p.

104). The essence of marriage is the 104). The essence of marriage is the indissoluble bond between man & woman.indissoluble bond between man & woman.

His attack is restricted to the supernatural His attack is restricted to the supernatural (Christian) virtues.(Christian) virtues.

Faith, Hope & CharityFaith, Hope & Charity

Faith = unreason, dogmatismFaith = unreason, dogmatism Hope = otherworldiness, denial of senses, Hope = otherworldiness, denial of senses,

bodybody Love = equality, pity, rejection of Love = equality, pity, rejection of

distinction, hierarchy & authoritydistinction, hierarchy & authority

FaithFaith

N. sees the discipline of faith as being N. sees the discipline of faith as being destructive of reason & science.destructive of reason & science.

Trains us to believe things we cannot verify Trains us to believe things we cannot verify or understand.or understand.

The scientific mind is based in doubt, in The scientific mind is based in doubt, in independence from tradition and authority.independence from tradition and authority.

HopeHope

The hope for eternal life causes a The hope for eternal life causes a devaluation of this life.devaluation of this life.

Necessarily results in hostility to pleasure, Necessarily results in hostility to pleasure, especially sexual pleasure.especially sexual pleasure.

The fiction of eternal life is rooted in a The fiction of eternal life is rooted in a hatred of the actual world.hatred of the actual world.

Consequences of OtherworldinessHealth and earthly life are denied, denigrated:Health and earthly life are denied, denigrated:

Deny yourselfDeny yourself Take up your crossTake up your cross Crucify the flesh and its desiresCrucify the flesh and its desires If your eye offends you, pluck it outIf your eye offends you, pluck it out

Love

Unconditional, universal love obliterates all Unconditional, universal love obliterates all distinctions. Nullifies all principles of distinctions. Nullifies all principles of selectivity: "integrity, intelligence, selectivity: "integrity, intelligence, manliness, pride, beauty and liberality of manliness, pride, beauty and liberality of heart"heart"

This leads to the political ideals of This leads to the political ideals of democracy and equality, by which the democracy and equality, by which the strong are hobbled by the masses.strong are hobbled by the masses.

Pity

Pity enables the weak and sickly to survive, Pity enables the weak and sickly to survive, and makes their weakness contagious.and makes their weakness contagious.