The Conflict in Each of Us
Does thinking win?
I’ve been discussing moral reasoning. My point without moral reasoning we’re in big trouble. Moral is thinking about doing the right thing for our friends, neighbors and communities. Good old Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, phrased it another way.
The concept of the conflict between the ID, Ego, and Superego is a fundamental aspect of Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory, which posits that these three components of the human psyche are in constant conflict with one another. The ID represents our primal, instinctual desires, while the Superego represents our moral and ethical beliefs and the Ego acts as a mediator between these two forces. This conflict can result in internal struggles and external manifestations of behavior that can have a significant impact on our lives.
The ID is the most primitive part of our psyche, representing our most basic desires and impulses. It is driven by the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification for our needs and desires without considering the consequences. The Superego, on the other hand, represents our moral and ethical beliefs, and is shaped by the values and norms of our society. It acts as a kind of internalized authority figure, seeking to control our behavior and impulses in accordance with what is considered right and wrong.
The Ego is the part of our psyche that mediates between the ID and Superego. It is responsible for balancing our primal desires with our moral and ethical beliefs, seeking to satisfy our needs in a way that does not violate our conscience or the norms of society. However, this is often easier said than done, and conflicts between the ID, Ego, and Superego can arise when our impulses and desires are in conflict with our moral and ethical beliefs.
For example, imagine a person who is hungry and sees a delicious cake on a table. The ID might urge this person to take the cake and eat it immediately, without considering the consequences of their actions. However, the Superego might remind them that stealing is wrong, and that taking the cake without permission would violate their moral and ethical beliefs. The Ego would then have to mediate between these two conflicting forces, finding a way to satisfy the person's hunger without violating their moral code, perhaps by asking for a slice of the cake or finding another way to satisfy their hunger that does not involve stealing.
The conflict between the ID, Ego, and Superego can manifest in a variety of ways, from simple everyday decisions to more complex psychological issues. For example, a person who struggles with addiction may find themselves in conflict between their desire for the substance and their knowledge that it is harmful to their health and relationships. Similarly, a person who is struggling with depression may find themselves torn between their desire to isolate themselves from the world and their knowledge that social interaction is important for their mental health.
The conflict between the ID, Ego, and Superego is a fundamental aspect of human psychology, representing the struggle between our primal desires and our moral and ethical beliefs. This conflict can manifest in a variety of ways, from simple everyday decisions to more complex psychological issues, and can have a significant impact on our lives.
Understanding this conflict and learning to manage it can help us make better decisions and live more fulfilling lives.
Better decisions rely on moral and ethical reasoning. That means a strong ego. A strong stops us from going to a grocery store with an AR 15 combat weapon and randomly shooting people.
My question is, do we have strong egos or do we submit to our ID impulses? My point is that we are submitting to our impulses.
What do you think? Please join the chat.
