In Pursuit of Happiness

      What is that single changing factor that makes us happy as humans? Does such emotion of happy satisfaction come together in a similar combo? These are questions I pondered while reading Sigmund Freud Civilization and its Discontentments. As an early psychologist, Freud helped develop many of the theories we have about the human mind today. Even although science is constantly changing, Freud’s findings and thoughts will always be looked at as an important piece of the discoveries we make today. Freud based his studies on three main aspects or our minds;In today’s society we are often trying to seek what will make us happy and, in most cases, do whatever we can to avoid pain and experiences that bring about displeasure. This is caused by of our need to fulfill our Id. So does this drive make us happy? We are all in pursuit of happiness, but is it possible? Freud states that the most common motivator to achieve happiness is in the search for love. He states, however, that love is simply a pleasure and does not bring about true happiness. He discusses that we suppress our natural instincts, those that we really should be chasing, such as sex and violence, as a result of these going against our society beliefs. This forms a wall that will make it impossible for us to achieve true happiness. “The first request of civilization ... is that of justice.”(Civilization and its Discontentments) Freud points out that we view civilisation as security but it inhibits human beings. Freud believes that in order to achieve true happiness we must be allowed to act upon our suppressed animal instincts, found within our super-ego, that society deems unacceptable.


     Super-ego, ego, and the Id. Our super-ego strives for perfection and, when we have done wrong, is the source of our guilt. It deciphers the difference between right and wrong and pushes the human psyche in our pursuit for happiness. The ego is our face, it is how the world sees us, and it is a personal representation of character moral and decisions. Our ego, Freud states, is our rational part of our mind. Lastly, Id consists of the pleasure principle. According to Freud, each one of these three make up our psyche. However when he factors in civilisation the prospect of happiness becomes more insignificant and raises greater conflict becoming a cause to unhappiness and anxiety.


     In Canada, as stated by the charter of right and freedoms, we have the right to act and say what we wish as long as it does not affect those around us in our society. Freud points that if we cannot allow our bare selves to live how do we perceive achieving true happiness?

     There is great value in Freud’s theories, but they are just that, theories. Just like theories with issues like education, we must change and alter them as society grows and changes. Happiness is possible if we are allowed to follow our true instincts. We need the freedom to follow our super-ego, develop our own ego and act upon our Id. Has society grown and altered enough to follow these? Is it possible to achieve true happiness by bringing satisfactions to ones desires? Are they even true desires or do they come from an installed “need in order to have a fulfilled life” on account of our culture and civilisation? If these are installed rather than true desires then it may never be possible to achieve true happiness.