Freud Needs to Look on the Bright Side

Freud is well known for his psychoanalytical views on the relationships between mothers and sons, and fathers and daughters, but he delves into some more general thoughts in Civilization and Its Discontents. All of humanity, Freud claims, is bound to self-defeat as humans have a nature that inherently prevents them from being happy.

Enter Clayton Hansen with a smile on his face. Clayton claims the elusive happiness can be found through the proper use of the intellect and agency. Happiness is there for the taking, not eternally looming out of the reach of humanity.

So, should we shape up and reach for the sky? Or accept our natures and the inevitability of our failure? Judge for yourselves.