Eros in a Narcissistic Culture

An Analysis Anchored in the Life-World

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Phenomenology, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science
Cover of the book Eros in a Narcissistic Culture by R.D. Ellis, Springer Netherlands
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: R.D. Ellis ISBN: 9789400916616
Publisher: Springer Netherlands Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: R.D. Ellis
ISBN: 9789400916616
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

The Urgency of Changing Our Thinking about Eros In Atlanta recently, a man broke into the apartment of his former girlfriend and brutally murdered both her and her new lover with an axe. When asked later whether he had considered the consequences of being apprehended and prosecuted, he responded that without his relationship to this particular woman his life had no meaning, and for this reason it made no difference what happened to him. All-too-facile explanations of such events can be devised in terms of neurological imbalances or improper child-rearing practices. But why are suicide, the murder of spouses and lovers, and other crimes of passion so much more prevalent in advanced, urban-industrial cultures, and especially in those where people's value is assessed in terms of socio-economic success and failure? And why do the associated psychic disturbances express themselves so prominently in terms of disruption of attitudes toward love relationships? It cannot be a mere coincidence that the most heinous crimes are crimes of love. I shall suggest here that the most direct way to understand the most prevalent dysfunctions of the modern psyche is to understand the dysfunctions of eros. The reason for this is twofold. First, eros is central tQl the project of defining meaning for conscious beings - for reasons more fundamentally philosophical than anything envisioned by Freud or other drive-reduction theorists.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The Urgency of Changing Our Thinking about Eros In Atlanta recently, a man broke into the apartment of his former girlfriend and brutally murdered both her and her new lover with an axe. When asked later whether he had considered the consequences of being apprehended and prosecuted, he responded that without his relationship to this particular woman his life had no meaning, and for this reason it made no difference what happened to him. All-too-facile explanations of such events can be devised in terms of neurological imbalances or improper child-rearing practices. But why are suicide, the murder of spouses and lovers, and other crimes of passion so much more prevalent in advanced, urban-industrial cultures, and especially in those where people's value is assessed in terms of socio-economic success and failure? And why do the associated psychic disturbances express themselves so prominently in terms of disruption of attitudes toward love relationships? It cannot be a mere coincidence that the most heinous crimes are crimes of love. I shall suggest here that the most direct way to understand the most prevalent dysfunctions of the modern psyche is to understand the dysfunctions of eros. The reason for this is twofold. First, eros is central tQl the project of defining meaning for conscious beings - for reasons more fundamentally philosophical than anything envisioned by Freud or other drive-reduction theorists.

More books from Springer Netherlands

Cover of the book Leadership and Creativity by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Bioinspired Smell and Taste Sensors by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Copper in Animal Wastes and Sewage Sludge by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Spatial Cognition by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Cardiovascular Imaging by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Biotechnology of Neglected and Underutilized Crops by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Biochemical Education by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Chemistry Education and Sustainability in the Global Age by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Perfumes, Cosmetics and Soaps by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Economics as a Political Muse by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Application of Titanium Dioxide Photocatalysis to Construction Materials by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Constructivity and Computability in Historical and Philosophical Perspective by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book The Political Institutions of Modern China by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Computational Methods for Flow and Transport in Porous Media by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Robot Mechanisms by R.D. Ellis
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy