freud and neurosis

Freud and Neurosis Sigmund Feud believed that religion was simply an illusion. His theory is based on the belief that human impulse is to murder and be promiscuous. If that assumption is correct, then his theory that religion is helping to prohibit these impulses, can have some merit. However, since it is impossible to ascertain the nature of man, it is impossible to determine whether religion is actually helping to prevent these impulses. Freud claims that moral prohibitions would not be obeyed by a majority of people if there were not external coercions, but there are many people who are not religious and yet do not murder or have sex with anyone they want. Thus, seems unlikely that religion alone could help to renounce these impulses. Freud, of course, would say that other things can serve as sublimation for the sexual urges, but this theory cannot be tested because you can never find a person who is free of every thing which might be seen as sublimation. Like Durkheim, Freud saw religion as originating in the realization that there is a force greater than the individual. However

This is not a talk show in which he is directly answeringquestions, not does he state who his opponents are. For some, their scientific research causes greater belief in religion and the existenceof a greater power. Religion would be to the ancients what science isnow, explaining earthquakes and tornadoes as acts of the gods. For any exception to the rule that is found, Freudwould be able to explain the exception as just another manifestation of his theories. Another important distinction is made between science and religious ideas in Freud"tms assessment of religious ideas as illusion. It is like a trial in which one person"tms word is set up against another person"tms. Here again, though, there is no proof for this statement. However, it is ironic that Freud would distinguish these illusions from science. Since manyancient religions have gods that are of natural origin, this theory makes sense. , where Durkheim saw that force as society, Freud saw the force as nature, which issuperior. Instead of simplywriting about the topic at hand to the best of his ability, he feels it necessary to pose questions to himself and then answer thosequestions. In an effort to relate to and eventually influence that nature, man personifies nature, in the form of gods. He says that science is "the onlyroad which can lead us to a knowledge of reality outside ourselves" (40). He likens a wish forthe Messiah to come to earth to a little girl"tms wish that a prince will come and take her away. But in this case, noteven Freud could know if he was correct in his assumptions.