The Illusion of Civilization and Illusions Within

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3 word format

document in english

social sciences

school essay

published 03/10/2007

review : not yet assessed

level : General public

requested 4 times

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Summary

An illusion has the ability to distort the perception about reality. It can be used as a way to disguise something from its true nature. In his work The Future of an Illusion, Sigmund Freud offers an analysis on illusions. He suggests that an illusion is different than an error, because an illusion does not necessarily have to be false. Illusions are “derived from human wishes,” in that they blind us to reality and make us see and believe only in what we want. The greatest illusion of all is that of civilization. Civilization is an illusion to the true nature of man, a type of makeup that masks the nature of man to let him be part of a successful society.

An illusion has the ability to distort the perception about reality. It can be used as a way to disguise something from its true nature
In today's societies, it is very uncommon to see man is his natural state; a state that would have existed before the beginning of civilizations
A contrasting view of human nature can be seen in the writings of the philosophers John Locke and Michel de Montaigne
Despite the differing views on human nature presented by writers throughout the centuries, it is agreed that man is no longer in his original state
Freud terms these illusions satisfactions, in that they have the ability to produce the feeling of fulfillment for the masses
The illusion created by religion is best used by the rulers of civilizations to govern their lands.
The use of illusion in civilization is best seen in literature through Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness
Unlike illusions used by magicians, where we know that we are being tricked, the illusion provided by civilization is one that tricks us all without us being any the wiser.
The ruler is able to maintain control of his society, while each member lives with the satisfaction of the belief that he is as wealthy as his neighbor, and possibly wealthier