The Fundamentalists The Death Drive
Dec 3, 2023
In this episode, the hosts delve into Freud's concept of the Death Drive and its connection to mythology and psychology. They discuss the controversial nature of the death drive and its relationship with self-destructive behaviors. They also explore the desire for eternal life and its relation to the death drive. Additionally, they discuss Norm McDonald's comedic style, the concept of drive in capitalism, and the TV show 'The Curse' that incorporates Freudian perspectives. Finally, they explore the therapeutic aspect of the death drive and its relation to pleasure and pain.
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Death Drive as a Turning Point
- Freud's theory of the death drive marks a turning point in his work, shifting from therapy to philosophy.
- It proposes a human element resistant to healing, complicating traditional therapeutic approaches.
Death Drive vs. Survival Instincts
- The death drive suggests a fundamental human drive towards death, not life, contradicting Darwinian survival instincts.
- Evolutionary psychology attempts to reconcile Freud with Darwin, but prioritizing Freud offers a more interesting perspective.
Death Drive's Manifestations
- The death drive manifests as the pleasure principle, aiming to minimize tension and excitation.
- The reality principle, or super-ego, internalizes external limitations, also serving the death drive on a self-conscious level.