Effects and Usefulness of Freudian Analysis in Modern Society

Freud and Society

Sigmund Freud has had a profound influence on our understanding of contemporary society. It can be argued that Freud's theories and insights have also had a direct effect on shaping modern society itself and determining the way we see ourselves. Freud's theories are also the object of heated debate and criticism and his views of the dynamics of the individual in society are not always agreed upon. While it is undeniable that, to large extent, "Our notions of identity, memory, childhood, sexuality and, most generally, of meaning have been shaped in relation to, and often in opposition to, Freud's work" (Roth. M.), yet these views have also been "hotly contested."

The theory by which Freudian analyses is most commonly known is the "discovery" of the unconscious. In terms of society and sociological analysis the most significant aspect of the idea of the unconscious is the theory of repression. Freud's view that desires which do not accord with societal norms are 'repressed' by the individual, resulting in 'neuroses' is central to the understanding of his views on culture. The theory of repression also resulted in a certain "deterministic "views of the way in which society functions.

Freud saw that society creates mechanisms to ensure social control of human instincts. At the root of these controlling mechanisms, he thought, is the prohibition against incest. He further speculated that this taboo had its genesis in the guilt stemming from the murder of a powerful patriarch.

While there is still much controversy and disagreement about the significance of his views, Freud firmly believed that "... psychoanalytic theory also had much to contribute to the understanding of other areas of social life - including the origins of human society and religious belief, and the causes of war and oppression."

Mann 5)

In this study, views of Freud's theory of repression in relation to society will be explored, referring to theorists such as Karl Mannheim and others.

Other aspects related to his psychoanalytic theories will also be dealt with, including various post-Freudian views of society.

A central focus will be the problem of culture and the way in which Freud perceived cultural problems. Furthermore it is important to assess the Freudian analysis of society in terms of the criticism of his theories of the unconscious and repression.

A there is no doubt that Freud and other psychoanalytic theorists have been rather overzealous in their attempts to explain wider social and historical movements, events and transformations in terms of individual psychology. Psychoanalysts have notoriously failed to recognise the emergent properties and powers of social structures and practices themselves over and above those of the human individuals who compose them.

Mann 6)

Proposed contents:

1. Introduction to Freud and society

2. Psychoanalytic theory and the Unconscious.

3. Repression and society.

4. Contrary arguments and criticism of Freud.

5. Conclusion.

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