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 Collaboration for Sustainability and Innovation: A Role For Sustainability Driven by the Global South? by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Deserts and arid lands by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book The Family Good Health Guide by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Heidegger and Leibniz by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Web-Teaching by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Structures of Knowing by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Automatic trend estimation by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book The Event of Death: a Phenomenological Enquiry by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Tsunami Research at the End of a Critical Decade by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Achilles of Rationalist Arguments by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Earthquake Hazard and Seismic Risk Reduction by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Causation and Prevention of Human Cancer by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Tumors of the Central Nervous System, Volume 4 by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Governing Future Technologies by R.D. Ellis
Cover of the book Size- and Age-Related Changes in Tree Structure and Function 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