“Civilized society is perpetually menaced with disintegration through this primary hostility of men towards one another.”
- May 6, 1856 – September 23, 1939
- Austrian
- Neurologist, Founder of Psychoanalysis
table of contents
Quote
“Civilized society is perpetually menaced with disintegration through this primary hostility of men towards one another.”
Explanation
Freud warns in this quote that beneath the surface of civilization lies a deep, persistent aggression, which threatens social cohesion. He refers to this as “primary hostility”—a fundamental part of human nature. Freud believed that instinctual aggression, especially toward others in one’s community, is not a product of circumstance, but rather an innate drive that civilization must constantly suppress through laws, moral codes, and social norms.
This insight is central to Civilization and Its Discontents (1930), where Freud argued that the progress of civilization comes at the cost of individual instinctual freedom, especially in repressing aggressive and sexual drives. The more tightly civilization is held together, the more pressure builds beneath the surface. As such, society is in a precarious balance, always in danger of collapsing into violence or conflict if these drives are not effectively channeled or restrained.
In contemporary times, Freud’s observation holds true in the form of social unrest, war, racism, and systemic violence. Despite technological and cultural advancement, human societies remain vulnerable to division, resentment, and destructive impulses. Freud’s quote reminds us that civilization is not a fixed achievement, but an ongoing effort to manage the darker aspects of human nature—a task that requires constant vigilance, empathy, and institutional strength.
Would you like to share your impressions or related stories about this quote in the comments section?
