Religion as Wishful thinking Simund Freud Hui Ka Yu 06013996

The projection theory of belief in God The most definitive statement of Freud’s views: “The future of an illusion” Published in 1927

“The future of an illusion” ‘Religious ideas have arisen from the same need as have all the other achievements of civilization: from the necessity of defending oneself against the crushing superior force of nature.”

“The future of an illusion” Religious beliefs are “illusion, fulfillments of the oldest, strongest and most urgent wishes of mankind…. As we already know, the terrifying impression of helplessness in childhood aroused the need for protection , for protection through love, which was provided by the father…. Thus the benevolent rule of a divine Providence allays our fear of the dangers of life.”

Freud’s thinking Atheism Religion = projection of our own unconscious desire No reality in the idea of God = one of the assumptions = his personal opinion

Freud’s thinking God = father-figure Afraid & trust his protection Protection = religious beliefs

Freud’s “structural theory” Three areas of the personality: Id the area of the human genetic endowment the repository of the biologically determined instincts

Freud’s “structural theory” Ego the conscious mind → attempts to reconcile the instinctual demands of the id with the realities of the external environment

Freud’s “structural theory” Super ego part of the ego → develop during childhood as a sort of policeman → controls some harmful products of the id

Freud’s “structural theory” Superego stays around into adulthood as some sort of god or authority image → limits the person’s freedom and filling life with guilt

Freud’s thinking Person → faces the dangers of nature and the evils of society itself → feel painful and helpless → returns unconsciously to his own childhood

Freud’s thinking → invents an all-powerful father → the father fulfills his most insistent need and desires → emerges belief in a personal God religion = projection of one’s psychology