Perspectives of Eça de Queiroz and Sigmund Freud on civilization and happiness

Abstract

This article discusses the perspectives of Eça de Queiroz and Sigmund Freud on the theme of civilization, based on the short story “Civilization” by Eça de Queiroz (1892) and the psychoanalytic text “Civilization and its Discontents” by Freud (1929). The article demonstrates that both texts share the central theme of criticism of society and the challenges of contemporary civilization. While Queiroz examines the tension between technological advances and the physiological, social and psychological needs of man, Freud explores the conflict between individual drives and cultural restrictions, highlighting the importance of Eros (love) for the preservation of humanity in the face of natural aggression. The research, which uses a qualitative approach and is based on a bibliographic review, aims to analyze these texts from a psychoanalytic and philosophical perspective, pointing out the epistemological distance between the conceptions of civilization and happiness in each author, as well as their convergences and divergences. Both works address the theme of happiness, the demands of civilization in the face of modernity, and the ethical challenges faced by humanity in the face of the suppression of desire with the exacerbation of consumption. On the other hand, the works differ in how the authors understand the concept of happiness and the possibility of achieving it. Despite the differences in styles and approaches, both authors contribute to a deeper understanding of the social and psychological issues faced by human beings over time. In conclusion, the works of Queiroz and Freud offer valuable insights into society by provoking reflections on ethical foundations and contemporary challenges, which are also valid for debates on the current digital age and the search for happiness in pleasure and hyperconsumption.