Civilization and its Discontents was Sigmund Freud’s ramblings about why Civilization is hampering an individual’s primary desire of achieving happiness but forcing use to make sacrifices for the good of everyone. He has some neat ideas such as the twin definitions of happiness (“on the one hand it aims as an absence of pain and unpleasurable experiences, on the other at strong feelings of pleasure”) and why people drink. However, as the book progresses he becomes prototypical Freud (at least what the common people know) and relates everything to sex and the libido.

Posted by Kevin in Blogs Tags: reading