Eros and Civilisation Revisited

Stirk, P.M.R.

doi:10.1177/09526959922120162

Eros and Civilisation Revisited

Stirk, P.M.R.

Authors

P.M.R. Stirk

Abstract

The article consists of a re-examination of Marcuse's Eros and Civilization in the light of continuing interest in that work. After a brief consideration of Marcuse's attempt to use Freud to indict contemporary civilization, focusing on the concepts of surplus repression and guilt, the article turns to his utopian sketch of Eros as a culture builder and the reconciliation of reason and instinct. These themes, which form the focus of recent interest, are explored by examining Marcuse's interpretation of Kant and Schiller as well as Freud. In all cases Marcuse's interpretation is shown to be flawed. The conclusion is that Marcuse's attempt to indict established reason in the light of instinct and yet to hold out the prospect of a reconciliation of reason and instinct leads to an impoverished concept of both.

Citation

Stirk, P. (1999). Eros and Civilisation Revisited. History of the Human Sciences, 12(1), 73-90. https://doi.org/10.1177/09526959922120162

Journal Article Type	Article
Publication Date	Jan 1, 1999
Deposit Date	Jan 27, 2009
Journal	History of the Human Sciences
Print ISSN	0952-6951
Publisher	SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	12
Issue	1
Pages	73-90
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1177/09526959922120162
Keywords	Critical theory, Freud, Marcuse, Philosophy, Psychology.