Comparing The Views Of C. S. Lewis And Freud Debate

C.S. Lewis and Freud Debate Response Paper

Michaela Fry

Department of Psychology, Palm Beach Atlantic University

PSY-2183-01

Dr. McCulloch

April 19th, 2023

Happiness According to Freud Freud’s view of happiness is centered around the idea pleasure and that happiness is a short-lived episode based on the intensity of pleasure one experiences (p. 100). Without sexual pleasure, humans will not experience the peak happiness that is accessible to humankind. Freud argues that the prominent desire for pleasure in order to fulfill the need for happiness is a natural instinct that develops at the beginning of one’s life. He refers to this as the “pleasure principle.” Freud believes that there are many factors contributing to why humankind

104). He does not believe in sexual encounters as the peak of happiness, but argues that a healthy relationship with God and with a spouse (whether they are good lovers or not) are the epitomes of happiness. Lewis says that “earthly pleasures will never completely satisfy us, and “we have no right to happiness,” because that happiness only comes from God (pp. 105). Additionally, Lewis realizes that before he converted to Christianity, he did lead a life of pessimism due to his thought life and how that generated a negative worldview (pp. 112). When he converted to Christianity, that all changed and influenced his happiness (pp. 114). He says that the process to converting and finding that happiness in Christ “involves losing yourself in your relationship to the Creator,” which will eventually shape a person into their purpose, which will bring joy (pp. 115).

Concluding Thoughts on

Lewis and Sigmund Freud both brought significantly different views to the table on the topic of happiness. Freud’s main point is that happiness comes from pleasure, which primarily involves sexual encounters. However, that is not always attainable, therefore pleasure comes and goes and happiness is short-lived. In contrast, Lewis’ main point is that happiness comes from a relationship with the Creator. Without communion with the Lord, there will always be a void in the human heart that no amount of earthly pleasure can fill. Both men agreed that one’s worldview impacts their experience of happiness throughout life. Only Lewis resolved his pessimistic worldview when he converted to Christianity. Freud basked in his pessimistic worldview until death and he never attempted to change it since he was an atheist. As a Christian who has seen people convert to Christianity from an atheistic background, it would have been fascinating to see how Freud’s life would have been different had he been convinced of Christ. In conclusion, Freud and Lewis have numerous well-thought-out points on what happiness is or is not. I personally align the most with Lewis’ points on happiness because I am a Christian and I have experienced happiness from my faith. From a secular and atheistic point of view, I could see how Freud came up with his responses since he does not have the hope in Jesus Christ. My own personal conclusion is that apart from Christ, there is no happiness in life.

Love According