What Else Is There?
Posted on 21. Oct, 2009 by Ruda in Purpose
Photo by ASPatrick
One of Sigmund Freud’s most popular theories is that of the “id”, “ego”, and “superego”. In this theory, he states that the id is our most basal state, it is driven by the pleasure principle. This means that it seeks pleasure in the form of food and sex and avoids pain. Later in his career, seeking to answer why humans so often engage in self-destructive behavior, he theorized the existence of a “death instinct.” This was also part of the id. Basically, he thought that eventually, the id becomes tired of the constant struggle for survival and pleasure and seeks to end its own existence.
This theory could explain why we are so drawn to escape from ourselves through movies, music, and books. It could also explain the blatantly destructive behaviors such as aggressive behavior and war. The theory is interesting because it offers a biological explanation for a lot of our negative behaviors. It almost excuses our inability to change. I say almost, because fortunately, we also possess the ego and the superego. The job of the ego is to control the id. So it follows that even if this death instinct exists and is some sort of biological trait of all human beings, then it is also in the biological capacity of all human beings to recognize it and choose to control it.
We can examine ourselves and see whether we take part in certain activities because they provide an escape or because we genuinely enjoy them in the present. I’m sure almost everyone will experience at some point in their lives this death instinct because anyone who becomes aware of the cyclical struggle for survival will feel its pointlessness. But the benefit of recognizing this is that once we are aware of the futility, instead of succumbing to our biological natures and seeking destruction, we can choose change the the struggle for survival. We can choose to learn more about the world or who we are as human beings, or even if there is a purpose to us or anything else. We may never find the answer to any of these questions, but in the process of contemplating them, we can live up to our own potential as humans. We have the characteristics of animals, but we also have more that we can choose to utilize.
There is a whole universe of thought and ideas and possibilities that can never all be explored by one person, to choose to end the struggle would be to think that there is nothing else of interest left. On the road of becoming more aware of ourselves, there is always a phase where it feels tiresome to keep on going once we recognize the struggle, I’ve seen it many times in people that I know. This is the toughest part and one that has to be overcome in order to be able to think clearly and leave the struggle behind completely. Our id will call for us to destroy ourselves, but we have to remember to use our ego and superego, our higher thought, to control it and put it back in its place. It’s time for those that consider humans to be different or superior to animals to earn that distinction.
Hello! I suppose you couldn't resist trying to catch a glimpse of the person writing all this nonsense. If you want to learn more about me, check out the "About Me" page. Self-explanatory I guess.
Melissa
Oct 21st, 2009
I agree wih you. My bff studies in psycology at montreal univercity we talk about human nature evolving to auto destruction and I think its nice of you to speak about this important subject
Oh and I have a book on Freud thant she lend to me & its about a perfect world that will sadly never be posible.
Jeffrey Concerto
Oct 22nd, 2009
Ruda, don’t you think war contradicts the death instinct as opposed to supporting it?
Ruda
Oct 22nd, 2009
Jeff,
I’m assuming that you mean people go to war to preserve themselves? I saw this theory applying more to those that want to fight in wars willingly, not those that command it. To be willing to die for certain ideals could be attributed to the death instinct I think.
Melissa,
I’m glad you enjoyed this topic. The concept of humans evolving to auto destruction is interesting, I’ll have to think on that more.
Ruda
Jeffrey Concerto
Oct 22nd, 2009
Ruda, I see where your coming from, but those willing to die for their ideals are not willing to die easily either; in-fact they try to preserve their lives at any cost like every other soldier. The idealistic soldiers aren’t participating in war because they are tired of their existence, as the death instinct would indicate, but because they want to validate their existence by fighting for a “cause”.
Ruda
Oct 22nd, 2009
Jeff, in a way they are because the death instinct would be a great motivator for someone to try and find a reason to keep on living by finding something to fight for.
Alex
Oct 22nd, 2009
Seems like there are so many terms and concepts, and still most people don’t get it. I would say thats me included as well. Does anybody have some recommendations of things to read? I never took any psychology classes in college. I was signed up for one, went the first day and seemed like a whole lot of words, so I left. I think I switched to Geology so learn about rocks. I like to be outside so I figured it was better to learn about different kinds of rocks.
Ruda
Oct 22nd, 2009
Alex, I’m in a psychology class in right now but trust me, most of the stuff I’ve learned about it has been on Wikipedia, the class isn’t good for much other than passing the multiple choice exams they give us. I really like Wikipedia because complex topics often have links to all the words that I don’t know so I end up reading multiple articles and learn a lot.
Ruda
Arignesse
Oct 24th, 2009
Excellent work thank u.
Kitrina (Kit)
Oct 24th, 2009
Ruda,
Greetings and salutations. :>)
Well, this is certainly an interesting dialogue to say the least. I think it is very important to keep things in perspective though. We, “the Upright’s”, are very prone to over analyze thing’s to death with no energy left for action. We are all at different levels of awakening or resistance. The most positive way to affect change is to be that change you wish to see at an obviously much grander scale. We have to be brave, strong and fearless in our own daily walks to provide the necessary energy for mass evolution. To do this without succumbing to the, perceived, mass opposition to evolve is not an easy path if you are not fully aware and in tune with your inner self. Baby steps build your strength and endurance for the long journey ahead. Don’t spend too much time at the round table discussing what will in effect have no bearing on your journey other than a delay of your departure. ;>)
Nita
Oct 24th, 2009
Ruda,
id, ego, and superego. Such a valid subject.All of us should be like a scientist, like a detective trying to solve the mystery of life.As I began writing, it became too long for comment section. So I have posted it on http://www.higherevolution.blogspot.com/ under ’struggle and purpose of life’. I hope the words prove themselves useful.
Ruda
Oct 24th, 2009
First, I’m really happy to see your responses, I’m glad you enjoyed my post.
Kitrina, I know exactly what you mean about starting the journey and not just sitting around thinking, that’s exactly what I talked about in this previous post
Nita, thank you for your words, I enjoyed reading your take on what we are meant to do past the struggle and what freedom means to you. I understand what you’re trying to say about creation being the purpose in itself, could you then say that we have all already satisfied our own purpose by being born/created in the first place?
Ruda
Nita
Oct 25th, 2009
Ruda, here is the thing.Our human identity is only a layer in a much wider reality.Purpose of been born is to evolve to the higher state. What is the purpose of a seed? What is the purpose of a caterpillar? Seed grows into a tree, caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, effortlessly. This tremendous universe is running spontaneously without any orders, without any commandments, without any effort… For complete entry read under purpose of been born at http://higherevolution.blogspot.com/
I hope again the words prove themselves helpful.
D.Sampath
Oct 25th, 2009
hi ruda
may be you will remember me
may be you wont..you look like your pa when he was about your age..
freud was relevent those days when
the primal energy of muladhara
sex energy was seen by him..
the tripodic concept of his was relevent for the times.the world is becoming so theories morph and change.humanness can not be trapped into a structured phenomena.. so easily to be analysed..
the vibrant mind always struggle for the new.. th forces of daeth “thanatos” needs to be embraced to give rise to the forces of “ethos”
i death we give rebirth to ourseves.guture can never reflects through the eyes of the past..
new perceptive patrens give a glimse of the new magical world to appear..Ruda i ma thrilled with you
.. you will discover new ways new paths.. yet remain pathless. love…