One of the key founders of modern psychology, Sigmund Freud, is well known for his extensive and multifaceted research into the workings of the human subconscious mind. Perhaps one of Freud’s most notable theories involves his ideas on the instincts of life and death, and the role they play in human psychology. Freud saw two instinct drives, Eros and Thanatos, which he saw as fueling our underlying motivations and giving rise to both our desires and our fears. In this article, we’ll explore Freud’s theory in further detail, and explore how Eros and Thanatos play out in the real world.
What is the Difference Between Eros and Thanatos?
Eros and Thanatos are, according to Freud, the two main instinctive drives which shape our lives. Eros, named after the Greek god of love and beauty, is the instinctive striving for life, represented in the creation and preservation of life, and the pursuit of pleasure. Thanatos, named after the Greek personification of death and obscurity, is the instinct for self-destruction and death, currently manifested through aggression, oppression and self-sabotage. Simply put, Eros is all about creating and growing, while Thanatos is all about self-destruction and death.
Freud observed that human life is in a state of constant conflict between two powerful and irreconcilable forces: life and death.
So, the purpose of Eros is to keep us alive and active, so that we can fulfill our potential. The purpose of Thanatos is to keep us alive, but only to a certain extent. As Freud famously said: “Thanatos and Eros are the two major motivations present in the life of a human being”. In essence, Thanatos and Eros keep us in a state of equilibrium and protect us from harm.
How Do Eros and Thanatos Play Out in Everyday Life?
Eros and Thanatos are present in almost every aspect of our lives. In order to understand how they manifest in real life, it’s useful to look at how they operate automatically in everyday scenarios. For example, when we’re in a situation where we feel threatened, our natural response is to either flee or fight. Both responses are driven by the instinct for self-preservation. This is our Eros drive. On the flip side, when we find ourselves in a situation where we feel frustrated, angry or overwhelmed, our natural response is to lash out at the source of the frustration, either in the form of aggression or violence. This is our Thanatos drive.
In our relationships, we may find ourselves oscillating between a need for love and connection (Eros) and a need for distance and control (Thanatos). We have a deep need for meaningful relationships – this is Eros – but we also have a fear of rejection or being overwhelmed – this is Thanatos. As a result, we may find ourselves oscillating between the two drives in an effort to find a balance between our needs for intimacy and autonomy.
How Can We Learn to Balance Eros and Thanatos?
Learning to balance Eros and Thanatos is a critical part of living a healthy and fulfilling life. The first step is to understand why we have these drives, and to be aware of the triggers that bring them out. It’s important to be aware of our own responses and to use our better judgement when responding to situations. We should also strive to cultivate self-compassion when we find ourselves leaning too heavily towards one or the other drive.
It’s also important to understand that Eros and Thanatos are intertwined, and that we cannot have one without the other. We need to give ourselves permission to embrace both drives in order to find balance and harmony in our lives. Ultimately, we must accept that life is cyclical and that our emotional states will fluctuate between the two drives over the course of our lives. By understanding and embracing this cycle, we can learn to better manage our instinctual drives and find balance within ourselves.
Conclusion
Sigmund Freud’s idea of Eros and Thanatos remains an important concept within modern psychology. Through his careful analysis of human behavior, Freud was able to get a better understanding of how we strive for pleasure and control, both in individual and collective situations. By understanding the difference between Eros and Thanatos, and by striving to find balance between the two, we can live healthier and more fulfilling lives.
Sources:
- www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/life-wide-learning/201309/freud-s-idea-eros-and-thanatos
- www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/education/psychodynamic-psychotherapy/eros-and-thanatos
Tags: Human behavior, Life and death instincts
