Alexei’s Reviews > Eros and Civilization > Status Update

Orpheus and narccicus and the refusal of the reality principle. Embrace of joy and libido. And of nirvana.

Discussion of phantasy as the force that imagines freedom. It can negate the reality principle but has no objective power. It's objective universe comes through in art, which in turn can only be powerful when unreconciled, atonal. Foreclosing the possibility of freedom is part of the reality principle. Productivity oriented society makes freedom from scarcity possible. The direction of productivity can be changed.

Establishment of comparison between Freud's metapsychology and general trends in western philosophy. Logos or reason as domination of nature starting with domination of one's own "lower" instincts. Culminating in Nietzsche who asserts an erotic attitude towards being.

The abolition of the individual and personal socialization. Instead the generic atom becomes immediately the social atom via television etc (instead of parents) without developing a unique personality.

The abundance of gadgets and material etc in this highly rationalised system distract and incapacitate the individual. Further, mass bureaucracy hides the opressor, who can ones anger be aimed at?

Discussion of thoughtless leisure activities etc being an aspect of totalitarian control. Sex is less controlled in turn, but conforms.

Destructive impulse productively unleashed upon nature. Eros sublimated to aim inhibited social affection. Community etc.

The father spreading out through social institutions. The guilt of killing the father causing further consolidation of domination after each rebellion.

Discussion of how partial instincts are repressed and unified into aim based generality in surplus repression. Perversion as attempt to prevent the return of the father. Woman oriented nirvana instinct; desire for peace / death. Origin of domination in the father.