colin_cox's review against another edition
5.0
Like so much of Freud's work, Beyond the Pleasure Principle is a text searching for answers to an elusive set of questions that even Freud cannot fully answer. Even if Beyond the Pleasure Principle is, at times, a slog, it is an important text because Beyond the Pleasure Principle marks the moment Freud reconfigures psychoanalysis. In Beyond the Pleasure Principle, the death drive emerges as the primary motivation for human activity. Instead of theorizing the pleasure principle as that which operates as the primary motivation for human activity, Beyond the Pleasure Principle suggests the pleasure principle feeds the death drive. That is to say, as Todd McGowan suggests, the pleasure principle (a state defined by its lack of excitation or tension) is a bridge to the death drive (a state of heightened or elongated excitation and tension).
Later thinkers like Lacan build and expand the death drive, but Beyond the Pleasure Principle is that necessary step. It moves psychoanalysis into fundamentally different territory.
***
If anyone reading this would like a deeper exploration of this text and how psychoanalytic thinkers develop the death drive, consider watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viYtgC5cL0E
Later thinkers like Lacan build and expand the death drive, but Beyond the Pleasure Principle is that necessary step. It moves psychoanalysis into fundamentally different territory.
***
If anyone reading this would like a deeper exploration of this text and how psychoanalytic thinkers develop the death drive, consider watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viYtgC5cL0E
nnorawest's review against another edition
3.0
Although it’s a pain to read (yes, even though it’s short) and you could easily find a summary online, I definitely recommend reading the primary source, as Freud’s ideas have been misinterpreted in such a way that even popular culture has altered the interpretation of his theories.
Freud’s notion of the Death drive is especially a tricky one, as it does not actually refer to the desire for death, or the supposed Thanatos, as it has been termed, but rather a desire to a primordial inorganic state, in order to maintain a low level of excitation. Whoever simply Googles the term, will get the wrong idea completely. I have to add that Freud is highly speculative about his theories himself, so don’t expect a well-rounded theory that explains in detail how traumatic neurosis or the Death drive for that matter, manifest itself in practice. What you get is a sort of stream of consciousness about the workings of the mind that is subjected to trauma.
As I’ve mentioned, not an easy read, but once you get the gist, it’s really a great insight into the psychoanalytics of trauma.
Freud’s notion of the Death drive is especially a tricky one, as it does not actually refer to the desire for death, or the supposed Thanatos, as it has been termed, but rather a desire to a primordial inorganic state, in order to maintain a low level of excitation. Whoever simply Googles the term, will get the wrong idea completely. I have to add that Freud is highly speculative about his theories himself, so don’t expect a well-rounded theory that explains in detail how traumatic neurosis or the Death drive for that matter, manifest itself in practice. What you get is a sort of stream of consciousness about the workings of the mind that is subjected to trauma.
As I’ve mentioned, not an easy read, but once you get the gist, it’s really a great insight into the psychoanalytics of trauma.
steds's review against another edition
3.0
Read for trauma class. Interesting to think on. Pivotal start for trauma studies
adampilled's review against another edition
3.0
This book is un-teachable, insane text. BPP is a complete revamp of Freud’s earlier Psychoanalytic framework that thoroughly deconstructs his late 19th century meta-psychology. Enter the Death Drives.
3/5
3/5
andredias164's review against another edition
4.0
"Beyond the pleasure principle" is an unusual and ambiguous piece of work. Freud presents an intriguing and controversy work. In this essay, it's presented Freud's ideas about life/sexual drive instincts (Eros) and the "death drive" concept as the main notions that conduct Human life.
Eros is the analogy for sexual desires, harmony and pleasurable feelings, whereas the "Death drive" represents the deep urge for self-destruction, aggression and unpleasurable feelings. Freud describes these two opposing drives and goes beyond the simple pleasure principle that drives Human behaviour. Furthermore, he explains all these terms in a clinical and speculative perspective.
Throughout the book, it's conveyed relevant topics about Human nature - such as Biological basis for repetition compulsion, Masochism as a clinical manifestation, Independence from the pleasure principle, Child's play and Repetition compulsion. Moreover, it's highlighted the importance of the libido within pleasurable feelings.
Freud, in this essay, blasts thought-provoking thoughts, including the "Death Drive" concept. It's not an easy term to diggest. Therefore, it can be confusing and misinterpreted. It's undoubtedly true that Humanity has some sort of inertia for chaos and destruction, including on a personal level. Nonetheless, it's a vague term that lays more question than answers.
It's interesting that Freud appeals to other scholar subjects like Biology and Philosophy to try to answer his main concepts of the Human Mind.
However, Freud's work has an intrinsically Historical value, which is an important factor that must be taken into account for any enthusiast of the Psychotherapy field.
This is definitely a book that lays confusing thoughts, but it's a challenge that makes any reader question the roots of the Human condition.
rating:3,5/5 stars
Eros is the analogy for sexual desires, harmony and pleasurable feelings, whereas the "Death drive" represents the deep urge for self-destruction, aggression and unpleasurable feelings. Freud describes these two opposing drives and goes beyond the simple pleasure principle that drives Human behaviour. Furthermore, he explains all these terms in a clinical and speculative perspective.
Throughout the book, it's conveyed relevant topics about Human nature - such as Biological basis for repetition compulsion, Masochism as a clinical manifestation, Independence from the pleasure principle, Child's play and Repetition compulsion. Moreover, it's highlighted the importance of the libido within pleasurable feelings.
Freud, in this essay, blasts thought-provoking thoughts, including the "Death Drive" concept. It's not an easy term to diggest. Therefore, it can be confusing and misinterpreted. It's undoubtedly true that Humanity has some sort of inertia for chaos and destruction, including on a personal level. Nonetheless, it's a vague term that lays more question than answers.
It's interesting that Freud appeals to other scholar subjects like Biology and Philosophy to try to answer his main concepts of the Human Mind.
However, Freud's work has an intrinsically Historical value, which is an important factor that must be taken into account for any enthusiast of the Psychotherapy field.
This is definitely a book that lays confusing thoughts, but it's a challenge that makes any reader question the roots of the Human condition.
rating:3,5/5 stars
zahraidk's review against another edition
2.0
I love Freud but I’m going to give him two stars out of spite because I struggled to get through this, let alone understand it. He uses so many words to say so little.
Anyway this was compulsory reading for uni but thanks for adding to my Goodreads bro this’ll make it easier to reach my goal before the end of the year. Much appreciated
Anyway this was compulsory reading for uni but thanks for adding to my Goodreads bro this’ll make it easier to reach my goal before the end of the year. Much appreciated