Hello, I am João Barros, a psychoanalyst in love with sharing knowledge about the human mind. Today, let’s dive into one of the most fascinating and complex concepts of Sigmund Freud’s theory: the drive. This notion is fundamental to understand the forces that move our psychic life, influencing our emotions, thoughts and behaviors.
Introduction to drives
For Freud, drives are the instinctive energies that drive human beings to seek satisfaction for their basic needs. They are considered the driving of psychic life because they are responsible for guiding our actions and decisions unconsciously. The drives can be seen as primitive forces that lead us to look for food, shelter, safety and, of course, sexual satisfaction.
It is important to note that drives are not only biological but also psychological. They are rooted in our past and present experiences, shaping our perception of the world and ourselves. The drives can be classified into two main types: life drives (eros) and death drives (taine).
Life drives (Eros)
Life drives, represented by the concept of Eros, are responsible for our search for connection, love and satisfaction. They drive us to form significant relationships with others, to take care of our children and to build communities. Life drives are also related to creativity, desire to learn and the pleasure of living.
In our daily lives, life drives manifest themselves in our passions, hobbies and interests. For example, an artist may feel a strong drive to create something new and beautiful, while a scientist can be moved by the curiosity of discovering new secrets of the universe.
Death drives (Tánatos)
Death drives, symbolized by taranats, are more complex and may seem contradictory to life drives. However, they play a crucial role in our psyche. Death drives are related to aggressiveness, competition and the desire for control.
In a broader sense, death drives can be seen as a force that leads us to question, criticize and sometimes destroy what is established. This can be observed in social movements that seek radical changes or in individuals who challenge norms to promote justice.
Conflict between drives and civilization
Freud argued that the conflict between our primitive drives and the demands of civilization is a constant source of psychic tension. Society imposes rules and norms that often repress our drives, leading to a state of frustration and dissatisfaction.
This conflict can result in neurotic or pathological behaviors as the individual tries to find ways to express their drives acceptably. For example, someone with a strong aggressive drive can channel this energy to competitive sports or to defend social causes.
Understanding this conflict is crucial in developing healthy coping strategies and promoting a balance between our psychic needs and the demands of society. Through self-reflection and self-knowledge, we can learn to better manage our drives and live more authentically and satisfactorily.
Conclusion: drives as a driving of psychic life
In short, Freudian drives are powerful forces that shape our psychic life. They drive us to seek satisfaction, connection and meaning, even when we face the challenges imposed by civilization. By recognizing and understanding our drives better, we can work to integrate them healthily in our daily lives.
The self-discovery journey is continuous, and exploring the complexities of the drives can be a valuable step in this path. By accepting and respecting our own needs and desires, we can live more authentically, creative and full.
I hope this exploration of the drives was enriching to you. Remember that understanding of our own motivations and desires is a continuous process, full of nuances and complexities. Through self -knowledge and reflection, we can become more aware of the forces that move us and thus live a real life for ourselves.
