Civilization and Its Discontents
by Sigmund Freud, James Strachey, Peter Gay
Civilization and Its Discontents by Sigmund Freud, James Strachey, Peter Gay holds a well received rating of 3.76 out of 5, based on 21.4K reader ratings. First published in 1930. The book spans 127 pages.
About Civilization and Its Discontents
It stands as a brilliant summary of the views on culture from a psychoanalytic perspective that he had been developing since the turn of the century. It is both witness and tribute to the late theory of mind—the so-called structural theory, with its stress on aggression, indeed the death drive, as the pitiless adversary of eros.Civilization and Its Discontents is one of the last of Freud's books, written in the decade before his death and first published in German in 1929. In it he states his views on the broad question of man's place in the world, a place Freud defines in terms of ceaseless conflict between the individual's quest for freedom and society's demand for conformity.Freud's theme is that what works for civilization doesn't necessarily work for man. Man, by nature aggressive and egotistical, seeks self-satisfaction. But culture inhibits his instinctual drives. The result is a pervasive and familiar guilt.Of the various English translations of Freud's major works to appear in his lifetime, only one was authorized by Freud himself: The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud under the general editorship of James Strachey.Freud approved the overall editorial plan, specific renderings of key words and phrases, and the addition of valuable notes, from bibliographical and explanatory. Many of the translations were done by Strachey himself; the rest were prepared under his supervision. The result was to place the Standard Edition in a position of unquestioned supremacy over all other existing versions.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Sigmund Freud, James Strachey, Peter Gay |
| Published | 1930 |
| Pages | 127 |
| Kindle Price | $1.99 |
| Genres | Psychology, Philosophy, Non-Fiction, Classics, History |
| Average Rating | 3.76 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 21,447 |
Reader Ratings & Analysis
Rating Overview
How It Compares
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Civilization and Its Discontents?
Civilization and Its Discontents is categorized as Psychology, Philosophy, Non-Fiction, Classics. Its primary genre classification is Classics.
Is Civilization and Its Discontents worth reading?
Based on 21.4K reader ratings, Civilization and Its Discontents has an average score of 3.76 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is Civilization and Its Discontents?
Civilization and Its Discontents has 127 pages. It is a relatively quick read.
Who wrote Civilization and Its Discontents?
Civilization and Its Discontents was written by Sigmund Freud, James Strachey, Peter Gay. It was first published in 1930.
What is the ISBN for Civilization and Its Discontents?
The ISBN-13 for Civilization and Its Discontents is 9780393301590.0.
How much does Civilization and Its Discontents cost on Kindle?
Civilization and Its Discontents is available on Kindle for $1.99. Pricing may vary by region and promotional offers.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
