sigmund freud book civilization and its discontents

Todd Dufresne's thoughtful edition showcases the full relevance of this text for a historical, philosophical, and psychoanalytical reading by adding an informative introduction, references to other works by Freud, as well as excerpts from the work by scholars such as Herbert Marcuse and Paul Ricoeur who have written about Freud's text.

' Civilization and Its Discontents is one of Sigmund Freud's darkest texts, offering an analysis of culture by reflecting on the place of death in a person's life. At last a truly critical edition of Freud!' - Mikkel Borch-Jacobsen, University of Washington Dufresne's superb introduction renews our understanding of Freud's final 'romantic science' it excerpts from other works by Freud and from critical responses to Freud in order to provide context and perspective. Gregory Richter's lucid and exact translation rejuvenates the text. 'Following on the heels of Beyond the Pleasure Principle and The Future of an Illusion, this new Broadview Edition of Civilization and Its Discontents concludes Todd Dufresne's editorial trilogy on the late 'philosophical' Freud. 'synopsis' may belong to another edition of this title. The Appendices include related writings by Freud, contemporary reviews, and scholarly responses from Marcuse, Rieff, and Ricoeur. Todd Dufresne’s introduction expands on why, according to the late Freud, psychoanalysis is the key to understanding individual and collective realities or, better yet, collective truths.

A classic, important, accessible work, Freud reminds us again why we still read and debate his ideas today. The result is Freud’s most expansive work, one wherein he discusses mysticism, love, interpretation, narcissism, religion, happiness, technology, beauty, justice, work, the origin of civilization, phylogenetic development, Christianity, the Devil, communism, the sense of guilt, remorse, and ethics. In Civilization and Its Discontents Freud extends and clarifies his analysis of religion analyzes human unhappiness in contemporary civilization ratifies the critical importance of the death drive theory and contemplates the significance of guilt and conscience in everyday life.

Sigmund freud book civilization and its discontents