Beyond the Pleasure Principle

The First Topography Conscious Preconscious Unconscious

The Second Topography Ego – conscious “self” Id – repressed unconscious Superego – internalized conscience

The Logic of Defense Mechanisms

The Pleasure Principle The id pursues pleasure and is unconcerned with the implications or repercussions. Society brings the id’s pursuit of pleasure into alignment with “reality” and realistic ways of attaining pleasure. This is called “the reality principle”. Early on in his career, Freud was convinced the pleasure principle held sway over unconscious life.

Especially in Dreams

Students and Colleagues like Carl Jung Disagreed

Freud was Bothered by Jung’s Interest in New Age Mysticism

Even Freud’s own Account of Dreams Seems to Confirm that not All Dreams are Sexual

Beyond the Pleasure Principle (1920)

“Shell-shock” and Other Repetition Compulsions

Speculation: Trauma and the Primordial “Vesicle”

Repetition-Compulsion: Mastering Trauma

Eros vs. Thanatos: Life vs. Death Eros – the pleasure principle: pursuit of (sexual) union Thanatos – the death drive: pursuit of dissolution, return to previous state, destruction