Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Totem and Taboo by Sigmund Freud delves into the origins of civilization and the development of societal norms. Freud explores the psychological and cultural significance of totems and taboos, shedding light on the human psyche.
In Totem and Taboo, Sigmund Freud delves into the origins of culture and religion, drawing parallels between the psychological development of individuals and the evolution of human societies. He introduces the concepts of totemism and taboo, which, he argues, are the earliest forms of social organization and moral restriction.
Freud begins by examining the primal horde, a hypothetical group of early humans ruled by a dominant male who monopolizes all the females. When the sons of this alpha male grow up, they unite against their father, kill him, and share the women among themselves. This event, Freud posits, marks the beginning of civilization and the establishment of the incest taboo, a prohibition against sexual relations within the family group.
Freud then turns his attention to totemism, a system in which each clan or tribe identifies with a particular animal or object, their totem, and regards it as sacred. He argues that totems are symbols of the primal father, representing both his power and the ambivalent emotions his sons felt towards him. The totem, therefore, becomes a source of both reverence and fear, forming the basis of religious belief and social cohesion.
Taboos, on the other hand, are established to protect the totem and its associated clan members from harm. Freud draws parallels between these early prohibitions and the moral codes found in contemporary societies, suggesting that the same mechanisms that governed the primal horde continue to influence human behavior and societal structures.
Freud further explores the relationship between psychoanalysis and ethnology, the study of different cultures, by examining the similarities between the primal horde and the Oedipus complex. According to Freud, the Oedipus complex, in which a young boy has unconscious sexual desires for his mother and harbors hostile feelings towards his father, is a universal phenomenon rooted in the human psyche.
He argues that the primal horde story serves as a collective myth representing the resolution of the Oedipus complex on a societal level. Just as individual boys must renounce their desires for their mothers and identify with their fathers, early humans had to suppress their hostile impulses towards the primal father and submit to the incest taboo to avoid chaos and destruction.
In conclusion, Totem and Taboo offers a compelling exploration of the origins of culture, religion, and social order. Freud's bold synthesis of psychoanalysis and anthropology challenges traditional views of human development and societal structures, highlighting the enduring influence of our primal instincts and early experiences on our individual and collective lives.
Although Freud's theories have been subject to much criticism and revision, his work continues to inspire and provoke new insights into the complex interplay between the individual and society. Totem and Taboo remains a seminal text, inviting us to reconsider the roots of our cultural and psychological identities.
Totem and Taboo is a groundbreaking work by Sigmund Freud that delves into the origins of society and religion. Through a combination of anthropology, psychology, and psychoanalysis, Freud explores the primal instincts and rituals that he believes have shaped human civilization. He posits that totemism and taboos are universal phenomena rooted in the Oedipus complex, and offers thought-provoking insights into the development of human culture.
Individuals interested in the intersection of psychoanalysis and anthropology
Psychology students seeking to understand Freud's theories on totemism and taboo
Readers curious about the origins of human civilization and the role of primal instincts
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get startedBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma