Abstract This paper begins with a brief examination of the life and accomplishments of Alfred North Whitehead. The paper then goes on to describe the three elements, according to Whitehead, that play a vital role in the intellectual and ethical evolution of humanity. The paper also defines Whitehead's theory of noble discontent and its three internal related aspects. Each of Whitehead's three essential elements to humanity's evolution are then discussed and analyzed in detail.
From the Paper "According to the philosopher Alfred North Whitehead there are three terms that play a vital role in the intellectual and ethical evolution of humanity. Whitehead argues that without these three elements the evolutionary process would not occur. The term "noble discontent" from Alfred North Whitehead's readings Adventure of Ideas is structured by, beauty, intelligence and duty. This paper will argue that Whitehead's notion of "noble discontent" is a key ingredient in the intellectual and ethical development of human society since it has driven man to a higher rational thinker."
Tags: philosophy math, alfred north whitehead, noble discontent
Abstract This paper discusses how Freud's theories about the mind, repression and aggression, dreams and civilization are reflected in his work, "Civilization and Its Discontents", originally published in 1929-30. The paper shows that the central theme of Freud's work is that without repression of the instincts there would be no civilization. Freud describes how, as human-kind moves historically from cave man to modern times, in order for them to survive in groups and communities, they have to learn to cooperate with each other. The paper describes how this evolving cooperation offers humans securities needed for survival, but it also causes them to repress or bury inside themselves many natural tendencies. This repression creates a tension between the inner self, or the subconscious and the outer world. The paper explains how, in "Civilization and Its Discontents" Freud further develops his theory, demonstrating how the subconscious mind, with it's three divisions - id, ego and super-ego - is in continual conflict, or discontent, with civilized society.
From the Paper "A main area of repression of instinct that causes one of the strongest conflicts with civilization is sex. According to Freud, man's main purpose in life is to seek happiness and the repression of his sexual instincts, as required by civilization, severely limits his opportunity to find pleasure and satisfaction in sexuality. Civilization demands that man not rush out in cave-man fashion to gratify his sexual instinct wherever and whenever the urge strikes. Rather, monogamous relationships established more for the purpose of propagating the race than for offering sexual pleasure are encouraged, and non-heterosexual urges are strongly discouraged (Freud 60-61)."
Abstract This paper examines how, in his volume, "Civilization and its Discontents", Sigmund Freud tackles no less than the broad and ambitious concept of man's place in the world. It discusses how Freud looks at culture from his unique psychoanalytical perspective and touches upon a number of important concepts, including aggression, civilization and the individual, organized religion, the death drive and Eros, and the super-ego and conscience. It also looks at how "Civilization and its Discontents" was written a mere decade before the great psychoanalyst's death and how it is, in many ways, an important compilation of many of his most renowned theories on the mind, human nature, and the structure of human society.
From the Paper "Freud suggests that culture's repression of aggression may ultimately be more damaging than unrestrained aggression, man's natural state. Freud is generally pessimistic about man's ability to maintain civilized life indefinitely. He argues that man's ability to tame the aggressive instinct will determine his ability to live within the boundaries of civilization. However, he argues that man's recently gained ability to destroy each other through modern warfare creates less hope that man will be able to live peacefully. He notes, "Men have gained control over the forces of nature to such an extent that with their help they would have no difficulty in exterminating one another to the last man."
Abstract This paper explores the works of philosophers Friedrich Nietzsche and Sigmund Freud (""Twilight of the Idols" and "Civilization and Its Discontents" respectively). It outlines and compares their views on science, religion, nature, the individual and society. The paper also focuses on the subject of instincts/passions vs. reason.
From the Paper "In the midst of so much confusion, so many contrasting affirmations, opinions and perspectives, what conclusions can be drawn? What lasting truths can one hold on to? Sigmund Freud, in his Civilization and Its Discontents, and Friedrich Nietzsche, in Twilight of the Idols, offer a good summary of many of their views. Freud and Nietzsche, both complex men of enormous egos, share many of the same ideas on the topics of science, religion, the individual and society, with the exception of a few minor differences."
Abstract This paper discusses Freud's book "Civilization and its Discontents", which argues that civilization represses man's basic natural instincts. The paper examines Freud's theory on why violence emanates from the repression that is caused by the guilt of the human conscience.
Abstract This paper discusses how Alexis de Tocqueville in "Democracy in America" and Michael J. Sandel in "Democracy's Discontent" both address issues of democracy, freedom, the role of government, and the good citizen. It looks at how their viewpoints differ because they write at different times of history. De Tocqueville writes at a time when democracy is a novel ideal. Aristocracy has been the main form of government, and this, therefore, plays a major role in his writing. Sandel, on the other hand, deals with contemporary issues such as the global community and the implications of new technology and diminishing boundaries among people.
From the Paper "De Tocqueville stresses the importance of civil equality in the achievement of true democracy. This equality implies the lack of divisions and barriers between social classes. This is the equality that he sees in American culture as opposed to European culture that still subscribes to the aristocratic means of government. The democratic ideal implies more freedom than would be possible with an aristocratic government: "Let us suppose that all the people take a part in the government, and that each one of them has an equal right to take a part in it. As no one is different from his fellows, none can exercise a tyrannical power; men will be perfectly free because they are all entirely equal"?(De Tocqueville, Book II, Chapter I)."
Abstract The paper is a critical review of Joseph Stiglitz's book "Globalization and Its Discontents" (2002). The text represents a critical overview of one of the most controversial and complex issues today: the increasing globalization of business in the form of financial and trading markets and the weaknesses of nation-states in this new economic paradigm. The paper explains what globalization means in practice. The main argument of the paper, however, is that the text is is flawed by the the fact that the author was one of the defining players of US economic policy during a critical period and cannot be unbiased.
From the Paper "The object of this book review is Joseph Stiglitz' Globalization and its Discontents (2002). This text represents a critical overview of one of the most controversial and complex issues of our time: the increasing globalization of business in the form of financial and trading markets, and the weaknesses of nation states in this new economic paradigm. Given that this is a critical review, it will be argued that Stiglitz' text, for all of its valuable insights into the processes of globalization, is flawed in one key respect. Although the author presents a range of critiques of globalization that, as will be seen, are supported by other critics, the fact that he was one of the defining players of US economic policy during a critical period.."
Abstract This paper reviews and discusses Joseph Stiglitz's book "Globalization and its Discontents". According to the paper, the book provides a lot of information on what is considered to be the new global economy from one who considers himself an expert observer. The paper further reports that the book provides a very provocative look at the global society and how it is increasing.
From the Paper "Stiglitz makes other arguments throughout his book and it is important to discuss some of them briefly here or at least point them out, as they could be important for discussion in the future as globalization continues to move forward. One of the things that Stiglitz does when it comes to be internationalization of economics is to compare the United States and other countries. It does not seem accurate for Stiglitz to compare these, however, because the social structures and the economic structures of many countries are so very different. It is true that they are all experiencing globalization, but the experiences had by those in other countries and by those in the United States will be very different both socially and economically and therefore there does not seem to be any direct comparison that is able to be made. "
Abstract This paper discusses the work of Sigmund Freud, one of the most influential figures of the twentieth century. In particular, the paper provides an overview of his famous book, "Civilization and its Discontents" in which Freud makes a pertinent and crucial analysis of the development of civilization and its relationship with the individual.
From the Paper "Freud's argument thus begins with a review of the man's essential purpose in life: every human being pursues what the author had called in his earlier work 'the pleasure principle'. That is to say, every individual strives for his or her personal happiness in life: "What decides the purpose of life is simply the program of the pleasure principle. This principle dominates the operation of the mental apparatus from the start."(Freud, 23) The pleasure principle is as an essential structural aspect of human existence. Nevertheless, the tragedy of human life is precisely the fact that man's happiness does not seem to be a part of the plan of Creation. In fact, it is obvious that full happiness as such cannot be attained; therefore man has to content himself with either merely avoiding unhappiness or with focusing on gaining pleasure in every possible way. Freud then proceeds to enumerate the variegated ways in which the individual strives to divert sufferance. Depending on his typology, the individual will seek alleviation in very different ways. The weaker person will seek seclusion from the world by fending off any relationships she or he might have with other human beings: "Against the suffering which may come upon one from human relationships the readiest safeguard is voluntary isolation, keeping oneself aloof from other people."(Freud, 24) The narcissist will take refuge in the creation of another world, therefore by interesting himself in higher intellectual pleasure such as fantasy and art. Still other individuals will completely reject reality and close themselves in their inner selves, becoming madmen. Another way in which the crude reality is kept at a distance is religion. According to Freud, the latter is probably the most absurd and the least effective way of numbing the sufferance produced by reality. Throughout the book, Freud makes a strong critique of religion as one of the first ideas that has forced civilization on and put a great number of restrictions on the individual."
Abstract The paper explores the main ideas in Sigmund Freud's "Civilization and Its Discontents" regarding religion, the nature of our relationships to each other, the function of civilization, guilt and the concept of the death drive. The paper relates that although some of the concepts proposed in his work may appear illogical and unverified today, we are very much receptive to them through their influence on popular culture in our time. The paper also points out that much of the strength of Freud's psychoanalysis can be attributed to his clinical practice, where he developed his theories by putting them into action.
From the Paper "It has been stated that Sigmund Freud "is to psychology's history what Elvis is to rock music's history" (Myers, 2004). Freud's theory on the unconscious was and still is widely popular within popular culture, forming the basis of and providing references for many works. In Civilization and Its Discontents (Freud, 1989), Freud comments on the cause and basis of religious sentiments, often criticizing their illogical nature and blind belief. Elaborating on the nature of civilization, Freud describes its oppression of the expression of instincts and, in turn, happiness. Continuing his explanation to how and why civilization was first formed, Freud shares his insights on the nature of our relationships to each other as driven by sexual desire."
Abstract This paper examines the strategic management steps that Wal-Mart must employ in order to prevent further damage to the public opinion of the retailer. The paper explains that the public does not want to support a business that practices discrimination or that practices wage withholding against employees. Therefore, as the lawsuits continue to be filed by unhappy workers, the public continues to shop elsewhere and Wal-Mart as a financial entity declines. The paper then looks at why Wal-Mart does not wish to communicate with stockholders, and how possible stockholders withdraw their consideration of investing and Wal-Mart is once again adversely impacted. The paper suggests that Wal-Mart management has an obligation to all entities to develop a means of changing the current employee discontent. The paper also points out that it is only through organizational change that this discontent can be fully understood and the policies that have led to discontent be examined effectively.
From the Paper "Fisk and Lochner (2005) contend that stockholders became so concerned with the claims of employees, the judgments against Wal-Mart and the decline in Wal-Mart stock that they officially requested that Wal-Mart retain a private committee that would investigate internal issues affecting workers. The findings of the committee would then be capable of being a foundation for organizational change, specifically related to management and policy matters in the company. However, the company repeatedly declined the requests of stockholders, stating that an independent committee might make determination without having all of the facts and that this situation would eventually hurt Wal-Mart more than assist with organizational change."
Abstract Sigmund Freud addresses in "Civilization and Its Discontents" (1930) the discontents of society. This paper shows how Freud investigates the human psyche, its origins and the forces that govern it, eventually arriving at our very foundations, our inner instincts and their conflict, which will keep us dissatisfied forever. The paper shows that it is after reading Freud's analysis that one begins to feel the hopelessness for the human species that Freud obviously feels, and expresses through his critique of civilization.
From the Paper "Now we see the central conflict haunting man - the conflict that exists between the necessity to work together and form groups, and our inclination to be aggressive towards fellow man. Freud's frustration over this conflict is obvious in his writing, as he breaks down the reasons humans have never been satisfied with civilization. In the end, it is this conflict between Eros and our aggression that keeps us from living happily and uninhibited with one another."
The following paper examines the way in which Sigmund Freud and Friedrich Nietzsche addressed the concept of human nature and of the society in which human nature was bound.
Abstract This paper endeavours to explore the theories behind human nature, the impact of the world that Freud and Nietzsche were living in at the time, religion and approaching utopia through the works "Civilization and its Discontents" by Freud and "Beyond Good and Evil" by Nietzsche.
From the Paper "Regarding human nature, Freud was reticent in purporting that we are inherently sinful, but rather that we come in this world full of Id. This wild, instinctive foundation is the basis upon which the infrastructure of the human psyche is erected. We are born into a dangerous world and we endeavor to evade pain and secure pleasure. Freud perceives the Id as a product of our evolutionary progress as Darwin outlined it (e.g. natural selection needs a conflict to ensue for staying alive as well as reproduction). So Freud's assessment of human nature is rather cynical, we are fundamentally egotistical self-justifying pursuers of hedonistic satisfactions, which comprises aggression and sex."
This paper studies the sections in Freud's "Civilization and Its Discontents" dealing with suffering, love, happiness and pleasure principle, aggression and guilt, which are all related to Freud's theories of man & culture.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 2 sources, 1980, $ 55.95
From the Paper In his book "Civilization and its Discontents", Sigmund Freud examines the cultural frustrations which are brought about by the conflicts between the demands of the instincts of man and the prohibitions of civilization. The structure of culture, Freud finds, is designed to restrict the instinctive life of man, the instinctive life being one of egoistic self-satisfaction and aggression or destruction. To delve into every aspect of this antagonism that Freud studies would be too great a task for a paper of this length, therefore, I would like to focus my attention on the sections of Civilization and its Discontents dealing with suffering, love, happiness and the pleasure principle, and aggression and guilt, since these were the most valuable to me in understanding Freud's theory. In dealing with any of these, one undoubtedly overlaps principles which deal with ... "
Abstract This paper explores the issue of human nature, as seen in three different works: Sigmund Freud's "Civilization and Its Discontents", Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness", and Karl Marx's "The Marx-Engels Reader". The paper offers all three as they present differing views of human nature, yet together they argue that whatever freedom human beings possess is either nullified or dangerously threatened by forces much greater and more powerful than the individual human being. The writer believes that all three see aspects of the irrational (the subconscious, imperialism, historical materialism) as the enemy of human freedom, sanity and goodness.
From the Paper "In this social context, the psychoanalyst's role can be seen as a means of discovering the roots of the individual's traumas in order to free him to act consciously and responsibly, to help that individual to learn to adapt successfully to society and to the problems society presents, and to act more effectively with and within the institutions of society. Without social institutions controlling the individual who is ruled otherwise by unconscious forces beyond his knowledge and his control, that individual will respond mechanically and without real freedom to social conflict."
