“It is impossible to overlook the extent to which civilization is built upon a renunciation of instinct.”
- May 6, 1856 – September 23, 1939
- Austrian
- Neurologist, Founder of Psychoanalysis
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Quote
“It is impossible to overlook the extent to which civilization is built upon a renunciation of instinct.”
Explanation
Freud highlights here a central pillar of his social and psychological theory: civilization requires the suppression of basic human instincts, especially those related to aggression and sexuality. In order to maintain order, cooperation, and security, individuals must renounce their primal urges, redirecting them through socially acceptable channels. This renunciation is not incidental—it is the very foundation upon which civilization stands.
In Civilization and Its Discontents, Freud elaborates that instinctual repression is the price humanity pays for living in complex societies. The creation of laws, customs, and moral codes depends on curbing the free expression of the id—the unconscious part of the psyche that demands immediate gratification. The ego and superego, shaped by social norms, must then manage these repressed drives, often leading to internal conflict, guilt, or neurosis. Civilization advances, but not without psychological cost.
In the modern world, this insight is visible in everyday life: from the regulation of behavior in schools and workplaces to the emotional toll of social conformity. It also explains why modern life, despite material progress, often brings frustration and anxiety—because instinctual needs are constantly moderated or denied. Freud’s quote continues to resonate as a profound observation of how human nature is reshaped—often painfully—by the demands of living together in a civilized world.
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