I believe Freud emphasizes that tendency to violence is the true cause of war because: throughout history the one custom that is universal between almost all cultures, is war. Freud is accredited with the creation of the psychoanalytical method of psychology. The main idea behind this method was that the brain is like an iceberg. What we see on the surface is just a small fraction of the whole. With the surface representing conscious thought and the rest being subconscious and unconscious. With this method he could prove almost any theory with the simple statement of "It's an unconscious thought." Although, I do not believe he was intentionally trying to say so. He was merely stating his opinion on the subject. With this mentality I believe he was thinking that violence is an unconscious or subconscious instinct.
I disagree with this theory. In my opinion violent tendencies are placed in someone through their upbringing. I believe that everyone is born as a blank slate. But do to the state of the world and that of previous generations some people are brought up to know violence. This, however, is not the fault of any one person. This has been forged through many generations. When societies weren't as civilized people sometimes had to resort to violence to protect themselves.
Now a question I have is: Do you think we can change?
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ReplyDeleteI love your question! I am an eternal optimist. I think we can change! But I feel there needs to be a huge shift in consciousness where all humans are considered to be important and have worth. People need to be horrified when other people are do not have access to education, food, shelter, love... When this happens, war will not make sense. To get there is something that seems worthwhile to work on.... I also agree with you; I have a hard time thinking that a person is born with evilness or violence. But society condones it in music, books, video games. The lines are blurred between justifying violence as being OK sometimes and not OK other times. We are then confused; when is it really OK? It is all quite difficult to sort out, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteOn top of your statement that violence has been ingrained in into humanity as a result of defensive violence, I think that violence has truly become a part of society as a result of the human want for more. Violence used as a tool too "take".
ReplyDeleteBut not always. Violence is like water, it can save someone's life or end it. The way it is used depends on who uses it and how they use it. I believe that there are many times in history where violence was what needed to be done, but there are also many times when it wasn't the right answer.
ReplyDeleteFreud may be right that violence can be part of human nature, but not all of humanity. I am not bent on causing violence, but I'm not going to let someone punch me and not get anything back. Again, that differs from person to person. There are very few labels you can place on all of humanity, and in my humble opinion violent is not one of them. maybe one day violence will not be necessary, but there are still some who, like Adrian says, uses violence to "take" and violence is needed to end those who misuse it.
Hi Jeremy! I think you made a great point - I believe that violence is society induced, therefore it is not an innate characteristic in human nature, but an effect of what many different cultures consider to be the only option. Violence is learned and accepted by almost everyone, but I do always think that change is possible. Like Mrs. Berry said, I'm also an eternal optimist.
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