What did freud believe about religion?
It is an illusion (false belief or idea)
What are two of freud’s main writings on atheism?
Totem and taboo 1913 and the future of an illusion 1927
What is a source/writing of freud that shows a more apologetic side or theological side to his work?
Moses and monotheism 1939
Why does freud call religion a collective/universal neurosis?
Because it can be seen all around the world.
Story of the totem and taboo
Derived from primal horde theory which says that in ancient culture, how religions used to form is through the process of the tribe envying the father’s selection of women and so they kill him. After this, they feel guilt and so they start to worship the father in totemic rituals. Some requirements of these may require not eating the flesh of the tribal animal or having strict requirements to do so. (catholic mass).
What two things did Malinowski find in his research?
- Uncles disciplined the children
- Repressed feelings for the sister not mother
What was the writing that Malinowski did to show his research?
Sex and Repression in Savage Society (1927)
Why does Freud say that we liken God to a father?
Because in childhood a father would protect the child and as we get older we have to look to a divine father
Freud on religion as wish fulfilment
- we possess an unconscious desire to be protected by a father figure
- also a desire to control things outside of our reach
- natural events bigger than us e.g earthquakes
Freud quotes on religion being a universal neurosis
Freud quotes on religion being a universal neurosis
“Religion is an illusion and it derives its strength from the fact that it falls in with our instinctual desires.”
“Religion is the neurosis of mankind”
”the religious community is a form of neurosis”
Freud quotes on totem and taboo
“The idea of the totem… continues to be found in every institute today.”
“The whole totemic system is a projection of the Oedipus complex into the social organization.”
Freud quotes on god as a father
“God is nothing more than an exalted father”
“The God of each is formed in the likeness of his father”
“I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.”
Freud admitting his animosity with religion
“I regard myself as one of the most dangerous enemies of religion…”
Freud’s case studies
- Little hans - small boy afraid of horses. Freud speculated that this signified malicious intent towards his father
- “wolf man” adult that dreamed of a tree full of white wolves continuously when he was young. He had obtained depression later in life. Freud said the earlier dream was due to the trauma of seeing his parents have sex.
- Daniel Schreber: grown man that had visions about being chosen by God and changing his gender. Freud said this was because of his repressed homosexuality.
Briefly name Freud’s case studies
Little Hans, Wolf Man and Daniel Schreber
Freud and Feuerbach
- Feuerbach Wrote “The essence of christianity”
- “Feuerbach … is one whom I revere and admire above all other philosophers.”
- “Religion is the dream of the human mind.… I do nothing more to religion… than to open its eyes, or rather to turn its gaze from the internal towards the external.”
Darwin’s work
On the origin of species 1859
