Have you ever wondered why you make certain decisions? How do you balance your desires and morals? What is your personality made of? If you’re curious about these questions, then you might be interested in Freud’s theory of personality structure. Freud was a famous psychologist. He believed that human personality consists of three parts, namely the ‘id’, ‘superego’ and ’ego’. Let’s take a look at what these three parts mean and how they affect our behavior and thoughts.
Id: animal instinct
‘I’ is the most primitive and deepest part of us. It exists in our subconscious and is beyond our control. It follows the pleasure principle, which is the pursuit of maximum happiness and minimum pain. It represents our instinctive desires as animals, such as hunger, anger, sexual desire, etc. It doesn’t think about consequences and doesn’t care about social norms. It just wants its own needs met, regardless of what others think.
If we completely follow the command of ‘self’, then we may become a group of greedy, selfish, violent, lawless beasts. We might eat all the food, defeat all the enemies, possess all the partners, and enjoy life regardless. However, doing so will bring us a lot of trouble, such as legal sanctions, moral condemnation, social exclusion, etc. Therefore, we cannot completely follow the instructions of the ‘self’.
However, the ‘self’ is not entirely bad. It is the foundation of our personality and the driving force for our survival and reproduction. It gives us emotions, creativity, personality, and more. If a person has no ‘self’, then everything this person does will not be based on his own interests, but will be for the consideration of others. Likewise, he has no soul. Just like Liu Cixin wrote a famous sentence in his science fiction novel ‘The Three-Body Problem’: ‘If you lose your humanity, you will lose a lot; if you lose your animality, you will lose everything.’ The philosophical meaning contained in this sentence is quite profound.
Superego: the standard of morality
‘Superego’ is the most ideal and perfect part of us. It exists in our consciousness and subconsciousness and is influenced by our education and culture. It follows ideal principles, which are the pursuit of the highest ethics and best behavior. It represents the norms and values that we as members of society should abide by, such as justice, honesty, kindness, etc. It has no regard for happiness and no regard for its own needs. It just wants to conform to social expectations and win the respect of others.
If we completely obey the command of the ‘superego’, then we may become a group of perfect, selfless, righteous, and omnipotent saints. We may donate all our wealth, help all people, obey all laws, and constantly improve ourselves. However, doing so will bring us a lot of stress, such as self-blame, guilt, anxiety, depression, etc. Therefore, we cannot completely obey the instructions of the ‘superego’.
However, the ‘superego’ is not entirely good. It is the goal of our personality and the motivation for our progress and improvement. It gives us rationality, responsibility, morality, etc. If a person does not have a ‘superego’, then everything this person does is based on self-interest and will be considered for himself. Likewise, he has no conscience. Just like George Orwell wrote a famous saying in his dystopian novel ‘1984’: ‘War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength.’ The irony contained in this sentence has a profound impact.
Self: Reality Adjustment
‘Self’ is the most realistic and flexible part of us, it exists in our consciousness and is influenced by our experiences and environment. It follows the reality principle, which is to find a balance between the pleasure principle and the ideal principle. It represents our abilities and strategies as individuals to live and work in society, such as adaptation, coordination, compromise, etc. It considers consequences and cares about one’s own and other people’s feelings. It wants to meet its own needs, but also meet society’s expectations.
If we only follow the command of ‘self’, then we may become a group of ordinary, ordinary, reasonable and reserved people. We may have enough food and clothing, work and live, abide by laws and regulations, and stay out of trouble. However, doing so will make us lose a lot of fun, such as adventure, innovation, passion, dreams, etc. Therefore, we cannot just follow the command of ‘self’.
However, ‘self’ is not completely boring. It is the core of our personality and the tool through which we communicate and interact with the world. It gives us wisdom, choice, balance, etc. If a person does not have a ‘self’, then everything this person does will be driven by instinct or morality, and will be considered for happiness or ideals. Likewise, he will have no freedom. Just like Nietzsche wrote a famous saying in his philosophical work ‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra’: ‘You must be yourself.’ The inspirational meaning contained in this sentence is quite profound.
How to balance ‘id’, ‘superego’ and ’ego’
How should we balance our ‘id’, ‘superego’ and ’ego’? Freud did not give a clear answer, he believed that this is a personal problem, and everyone has his own way and method. However, he also offered some guiding principles, such as:
- We should try to understand our ‘id’, ‘superego’ and ’ego’ and accept their existence and role. We should not deny or suppress any part, but rather respect and appreciate their contribution.
- We should try to reconcile the conflicts of our id, superego and ego rather than pitting them against or replacing each other. We should not completely obey or rebel against any one part, but rather coordinate and compromise their needs and expectations.
- We should adjust the proportion and priority of our ‘id’, ‘superego’ and ’ego’ according to different situations and goals. We should not be fixed or obsessed with any one part, but rather be flexible and adaptable to their changes and impacts.
Freud’s theory of personality structure is a very interesting and useful theory that can help us better understand ourselves and others. It tells us that personality is not single and fixed, but consists of three parts and changes in different situations. ‘Id’, ‘superego’ and ’ego’ all have their advantages and disadvantages, and they influence and restrict each other. The ‘id’ gives us our animal nature, the ‘superego’ gives us our humanity, and the ’ego’ gives us our personality. How should we balance these three parts? This is a question worthy of our thinking and exploration. I hope you can get some inspiration and gains from this article. Thank you for reading. 😊
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