The Future of an Illusion

by Sigmund Freud

People are over- inclined to place the ideals of a culture (i.e. its judgements as to which are the supreme achievements, those most worth striving for) among its psychological assets. It seems at first as if such ideals determine the achievements of the culture group; what actually happens, though, is probably that the ideals emerge in line with the earliest achievements made possible by the combined effects of a culture’s inner aptitude and external circumstance, and those earliest achievements are then captured by the ideal for continuation. In other words, the satisfaction that the ideal gives to those involved in a culture is narcissistic in nature, being based on pride in a culture is narcissistic in nature, being based on pride in what has already been achieved. For it to be complete, it requires comparison with other culture that have plumped for different achievement and evolved different ideals. On the strength of those differences, every culture gives itself the right to look down on the others. This is how culture ideals occasion rupture and hostility between different culture groups-most obviously amongst nations.