“We believe that civilization has been created under the pressure of the exigencies of life at the cost of satisfaction of the instincts.”
- May 6, 1856 – September 23, 1939
- Austrian
- Neurologist, Founder of Psychoanalysis
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Quote
“We believe that civilization has been created under the pressure of the exigencies of life at the cost of satisfaction of the instincts.”
Explanation
In this statement, Freud presents his view that civilization is not a natural or effortless product of human existence, but rather a response to harsh necessities—what he calls the “exigencies of life.” Human beings developed systems of cooperation, laws, and moral codes to survive and manage external challenges, such as scarcity, conflict, and danger. However, this advancement comes at a psychological cost: the repression or redirection of primal instincts, particularly sexual and aggressive drives.
This idea is central to Freud’s Civilization and Its Discontents (1930), where he argues that the very foundation of civilized society requires individuals to sacrifice instinctual gratification for the sake of order and communal living. The more advanced a civilization becomes, the more it demands self-control, conformity, and restraint. While this creates security and progress, it also generates inner tension, frustration, and even neurosis, as natural impulses are suppressed.
In today’s context, Freud’s theory still offers a compelling lens through which to understand modern stress, alienation, and discontent. For example, the pressures of professional life, social etiquette, and digital surveillance can be seen as extensions of civilization’s demands, often leaving individuals feeling unfulfilled or emotionally stifled. Freud’s insight continues to provoke reflection on the psychological trade-offs of progress, and whether the comforts of civilization truly compensate for the instinctual sacrifices it imposes.
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