THE DARKER SIDE OF HUMAN NATURE

“Without some degree of aggression there is no self preservation” is

An idea expressed in Freudian psychology. There are two motivational forces which drive human, one is life force and other one is death force. The life force is called eros, and the death force is called thantos. These two impulses are ubiquitous in human psyche; and general drive operating under every human psyche. Eros is preserving force whereas thantos is destructing force. Eros is a drive guided by sexual instinct whereas thantos is guided by self destruction. And a conflict is always present between two impulses   in every human psyche, but ultimately the eros prevails, the urge to live becomes predominant, and suicidal impetus is diverted towards other human psyche. Self preservation forceful, and destruction of self is replaced by destruction of other human lives. The urge to destroy other human lives instead of one's own life is manifested as aggression which becomes a fundamental human drive beside sexual impetus.  Hence Freud concludes beside sexual impetus human behaviour is directed by aggression, an urge opposite that of self preservation.

In this way Freud becomes close to Thomas Hobbes, a 17^th century materialistic philosopher who says the fundamental human nature is that of selfishness, and guiding force behind every human behaviour is preservation of oneself. Consequently aggression as dominant force emerges in every human society. Thus social order becomes essential to keep under control the brutal instinctual forces expressed as aggression. The social order becomes dire necessity in absence of which the society would resolve in anarchy and chaos. Freud is expressing the same idea from psychological and individual point of view. Society is collection of individuals and the same forces which is operating in individuals becomes magnified at social level. The same interactions of forces come into play. Thus Freud becomes essentially pessimistic about nature of human.