Explain and critique Freud’s theory as to why war is endemic to human society. (15 points)
1. Freud’s theory that war is endemic to human society is based on his belief that human beings are bound by both a life and a death instinct. This death instinct is based on the instinctive animalistic nature within humans that guides violence as the means of problem solving. In the most primitive societies, it is this manner which governs society, but that’s not to say that it doesn’t exist in the modern world. It can be seen in the way humans are so willing to fight and kill in the name of freedom and security. It has a seductive nature to it that drives us to want to harm and kill others. Freud says that as long as there are people, the death instinct …show more content…
The “Myth of Redemptive Violence” is the myth that says that we can use violence to overcome evil, and that through war, peace can prevail. It is a myth that has been perpetuated throughout history as creation stories tell of the origins of humanity as steeped in violence to overcome the forces of evil to bring peace to this world. This myth is still prevalent today, and is especially commonplace in popular culture like movies and TV shows. There is an overabundance of superhero and science fiction movies where the forces of good and evil are pitted against each other and the good side must use force and destruction to overcome all evil. One great example of this would be the Star Wars movies when Darth Vader, the epitome of all evil, is killed by his son Luke Skywalker, a Jedi fighting for the forces of good to overcome. Even though this myth is ever-present in society, that doesn’t mean we have to keep perpetuating it. We know that violence, whether for good or for evil, will never bring about true peace. We must rather focus on stories where love overcomes hate, because it is in non-violence that everlasting peace can prevail. We need to showcase this power of non-violence to bring about good, and highlight the narratives of people like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. With stories like these, we can stop the perpetuation of the “redemptive violence” myth in the US. It will take many, many years, but if we start with our youth, as each generation passes, more and more …show more content…
Explain why one of the accounts was more illuminating for you of the war situation than the other. (15
1. Freud’s theory that war is endemic to human society is based on his belief that human beings are bound by both a life and a death instinct. This death instinct is based on the instinctive animalistic nature within humans that guides violence as the means of problem solving. In the most primitive societies, it is this manner which governs society, but that’s not to say that it doesn’t exist in the modern world. It can be seen in the way humans are so willing to fight and kill in the name of freedom and security. It has a seductive nature to it that drives us to want to harm and kill others. Freud says that as long as there are people, the death instinct …show more content…
The “Myth of Redemptive Violence” is the myth that says that we can use violence to overcome evil, and that through war, peace can prevail. It is a myth that has been perpetuated throughout history as creation stories tell of the origins of humanity as steeped in violence to overcome the forces of evil to bring peace to this world. This myth is still prevalent today, and is especially commonplace in popular culture like movies and TV shows. There is an overabundance of superhero and science fiction movies where the forces of good and evil are pitted against each other and the good side must use force and destruction to overcome all evil. One great example of this would be the Star Wars movies when Darth Vader, the epitome of all evil, is killed by his son Luke Skywalker, a Jedi fighting for the forces of good to overcome. Even though this myth is ever-present in society, that doesn’t mean we have to keep perpetuating it. We know that violence, whether for good or for evil, will never bring about true peace. We must rather focus on stories where love overcomes hate, because it is in non-violence that everlasting peace can prevail. We need to showcase this power of non-violence to bring about good, and highlight the narratives of people like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. With stories like these, we can stop the perpetuation of the “redemptive violence” myth in the US. It will take many, many years, but if we start with our youth, as each generation passes, more and more …show more content…
Explain why one of the accounts was more illuminating for you of the war situation than the other. (15