Comparing Sigmund Freud's Civilization And Its Discontents

In Civilization and Its Discontents, Sigmund Freud examines the concept of happiness within the context of human civilizations and the manner in which humans attempt to achieve happiness. Specifically, Freud recognizes the tendency of humans to search for the validation of happiness by accepting religion and encompassing themselves in loving relationships. However, Freud negates the idea that religion and love enables one to achieve happiness—in fact, Freud concludes that total happiness is unattainable due to the inevitable suffering that every human being will endure during their lifetime. Freud's claim that the acquisition of happiness is inaccessible is misleading because it portrays the happiness one derives from religion and love as ineffectual;

Furthermore, he argues that religion does not prevent suffering, because it utilizes suffering as an instrument to impose regulations upon its followers. However, the text speaks to a sentiment that millions of religious believers experience: it is a feeling that can be described as "a sensation of 'eternity', a feeling as of something limitless, unbounded—as it were, 'oceanic'" (Freud 11). Faith in a Supreme Being and confidence in an afterlife provides consolation to followers who struggle under the weight of their sufferings. Freud attempts to dispute religion by using a psychological and scientific approach to reveal its derivation. According to Freud, the origin of religious desire stems from an "infant's helplessness and…longing for [a] father," and people sustain religion because they have a "fear of the superior power of Fate" (Freud 20). Consumed by criticizing the veracity and application of religion, Freud fails to address the simple fact that religion ultimately benefits its followers by providing hope. Suffering is inevitable, yet if humans allow themselves to discard hope and succumb to fear of impending death they cannot fulfill their God-given potential while alive. Religion is a legitimate source of happiness because humans establish an entity that offers a