Totem and Taboo (Routledge Classics) (Routledge Classics)

"Freud's 'Totem and Taboo' is a remarkable book, and, like much of Freud's other work, it is exceptional among academic literature in general. Whereas most academic works emphasize wordiness and formal erudition at the expense of real information, 'Totem and Taboo' is the fruit of a man who was really charting new ground. As such, this short book is packed with fascinating information - and Freud cements his position so conclusively that one is left feeling convinced that his conclusions must be true.

The underlying thesis of 'Totem and Taboo' is that 'savages' and 'neurotics' exhibit similar symptoms, that is to say, they exhibit *ambivalent* attitudes to the persons they claim to venerate. The root of civilization, says Freud, lies in a primordial act of rebellion by the sons against the despotic leader of the tribe. (The father-figure of the ancestors of the human race being jealous of the women in his tribe and wishing to deny his sons access to them.) But subsequently this act of murder turned into guilt, and a 'totem' (i.e. an animal as a representative of the clan unit) was found as a substitute father. The veneration of the father-figure is the conscious element, but the feeling of hostility remains unconscious because the brothers of the tribe and their descendents remain aware of their harsh treatment at the hands of the father figure.

Now, since neurotics themselves exhibit ambivalent attitudes towards those they love most (harbouring, for instance, unconscious death-wishes against them: thus the neurotic feeling of guilt, which later turns into a *fear* that loved ones may come to harm), Freud argues that the study of neurotic symptoms yields insight into the origins of primitive man. Essentially, all forms of social organization are linked to the primordial act of father-murder. Social contracts and the earliest beginnings of legal code were established to ensure that the brothers did not subsequently kill each other, or have sex with their sisters and mothers. Thus, argues Freud, the Oedipus complex, the ambivalent attitude towards one's parents, the essential element of all neurosis, is also the basis of human developments such as religion, art, and social institutions.

Could it be that even our own advanced civilization is based around sexual impulses towards our parents, just as the 'savage' societies are? You must read 'Totem and Taboo' and see if Freud can convince you!"
~ Written on 2006-03-26