Developing the concept of psychoanalysis, studying structure of the personality and feature of mentality of the person, Siegmund Freud could not avoid culture. The similar sphere leaves a significant mark on the person.
To some extent culture can be compared to the idea about Super I (Super-Ego). The fact is that, according to the psychoanalyst, both this part of human mentality, and culture per se create certain borders and a framework. They hold unconscious rushes, form norms which are restrictions for "low" desires. The cultural environment as well as Super-Ego, suppresses sexual energy and demands observance of all rules.
As Freud treated culture
The attitude of the psychoanalyst towards culture per se was double. Certainly, he did not deny that similar is necessary in human life. However, working on the culturological concept in the context of psychoanalysis, Siegmund Freud insisted that culture can be the cause of development of neurotic states. And in general he considered that culture, as it develops through what stages of formation goes, it is possible to compare to the individual for whom neurosis is diagnosed.
On the other hand, Freud defined culture as a certain sphere which allows any person to reach the new level of perception of the world and itself. Personal development without development of cultural features and society is just impossible.
Siegmund Freud insisted on the idea that cultural installations and rules allow to control impetuous energy, constrain the destructive rushes going from unconscious, help the person to be in harmony with the nature. However, at all this, the famous psychoanalyst all the same insisted that the various cultural bans arising with the course of history deform the personality and result in inevitably negative results.
Interaction of the person and culture from the point of view of Freud
Proceeding from the reasonings and practices, Siegmund Freud as a result removed two ways of direct interaction of an individual individual with the cultural bans, influences and features.
- The first way represents a certain positive advance when the person maintains cultural norms. Thanks to the culture of people can think and work rationally, is able to handle correctly natural resources, can get rid of antisocial actions which are not perceived by society and can have an adverse effect on self-development.
- The second way assumes refusal of culture. In practice it is extremely difficult to imagine it, at least because in most cases the person chooses just a way the first. If the individual follows by refusal, it inevitably dooms itself(himself) to very heavy existence. Under the threat there are an integrity and health of mentality, despite an opportunity to self-express and to live kind of without control from Super Ya.V modern society similar is not supported and not appreciated therefore the risk is huge to become the derelict and to completely destroy the life.
Culture as commitment to excellence
According to Siegmund Freud, culture is that other as the mechanism which subjects to strict censorship any "undesirable" instincts. At the same time direct existence of cultural norms, traditions and orders is based on the processed (sublimated) energy of a libido. Without similar reinforcement by means of energy of life culture in society simply is not capable to exist.
The cultural concept of the psychoanalyst includes the ideas about:
- demands of justice which are made by culture;
- at the same time existing thoughts of suppression of freedom and achievement of freedom;
- to cleanliness and beauty;
- aspiration to an order by means of suppression of chaos which can be generated by unconscious;
- creation of the social relations;
- dissatisfaction of internal requirements, not realization of internal undercover desires.
Being weaved among themselves, all reasonings and thoughts about culture bring to the fact that the similar sphere in Freud's representation acts as a certain commitment to excellence and an ideal, without defects and low instincts.