Darwin+&+Freud

Amy Geis 1. Analyze the ways in which the theories of both Darwin and Freud challenged traditional European ways of thinking about religion, morality, and human behavior in the period circa 1850-1950.

Thesis: The time period of 1850-1950 was a time of new discoveries, both intellectually and scientifically, which was displayed through the theories of Charles Darwin and Sigmund Freud as they debased religion with their scientific views, lowered the importance of morality, and explained human behavior in ways that had never been considered before, changing the way humans thought about themselves forever.

1. Religion -Psychoanalysis: cure of patient through dialogue with the therapist -no need for religion -religion was an illusion, caused from instinctual desires -Debasement of humans, ordinary rather than unique -//The Descent of Man// -descended from less high form -evolution -went against Catholic teachings -not created by God -created controversies
 * Freud:
 * Darwin:

2. Morality -Oedipus Complex: infant's craving for exclusive possession of parent -sexual repressions -childhood origins -Challenged belief of creator God -Humans aren't subject to a higher being - no need for morality
 * Freud:
 * Darwin:

3. Human Behavior Freud: -determined by unconscious (former experiences and inner drives) -//The Interpretation of Dreams// -Id: center of drives, pleasure principle -Ego: reason, reality principle -Superego: conscience, imposed values Darwin: -Social Darwinism -Spencer's //Social Statics//: said that state should not intervene in the struggle for survival -caused nationalist organizations to preach the idea of international struggle (The Nationalist Association of Italy) -revived racism -Aryans, true creators of Western Culture

Outside source: Cherry, Kendra. "Freud and Religion." __About.com.__ The New York Times Company. 25 Apr 2011. 