Freud and happiness
... ENGL 120 March 23, 2004 Freud apologizes in the final chapter for the detours to which his analysis has been prone. ... In his view, it takes an enormous toll on the happiness of individuals. Freud stated in the final chapter, “One thing I do know for certain and that is that man’s judgments of value follow directly his wishes for happiness - - that accordingly, they are an attempt to support his illusions with arguments” (Freud 111). Earlier in the book Freud gives varied reasons and explanation as to how we never achieve full happiness. In chapter II Freud stated: We will choose a particular path to bring us nearer an appreciation of his words. ... ‘We cannot do without auxiliary constructions’” (Freud 23). These measures as stated by Freud in chapter II are: “powerful deflections, which cause us to make light of out misery; substitutive satisfactions, which diminish it; and intoxicating substances, which make us insensitive to it” (Freud 23). This essay will attempt to shed light on these three measures from Freud’s viewpoint and enlighten them with modern reflections. Powerful deflections as viewed by Freud are a way to expand with intelligent and scientific thought by way of ignoring the feelings of unhappiness. Freud continues with this idea writing, “Another technique for fending off suffering is the employment of the displacements of libido which our mental apparatus permits….