“The Interpretations of Dreams” by Sigmund Freud has been widely recognized as one of the major works that deals with the theory of human nature. The theory of human nature may be best comprehended as encompassing four basic dimensions. First, a background metaphysical understanding of the universe and humanity’s place in it has been attempted. Remarkable enough, the question concerning the universe has by no means been settled, though it may be concluded that the universe means what the veracity denotes. Human beings constitute this universe. It is they who churn the wheels of this universe. However, the same universe is in disparity with the individual.
The problem of human beings is a primordial problem in metaphysics concerning universals. Dreamers do not come from a diverse world; they develop a world of their own around them in their sleep and what more – they have the potential to commit it all to their memory which not all of us can perform, though the art can be learnt. Sigmund Freud recognized dreams as an interaction between the conscious and the unconscious. The unconscious is the dominant might of the dream, and in dreams it conveys its own mental activity to the perceptive faculty. (Freud 1955).
Destiny is a predetermined course of events whether in general or for an individual. Destiny is envisaged for-ordained by Him. There is a disparity between destiny and human will. It is said that there is an influence inside us that recognizes the compelling force of nature. General consumption of the universe has its origin in the recasting of the intellect of the impressions which reach it from nowhere in the course of time, space and causality.
Mythology is the study of myths. It does not entail that myths are necessarily phony. It can mean a sacred story but certainly not a false story. The obscure information which is brought to us by mythology and legend from the ancient ages of human society can at times lead certain dreams.
Secondly, to deal with the questions or general claims about humans, human society, and the human condition, let it be emphasized that human nature is the assortment of psychological characteristics including the universal to all ways of thinking and acting. Dreams in pre-scientific set-up were in comprehensive harmony to the people’s view of the universe. Dreams were an impression of the alien from the outer space contrasting with the remaining contents of the psyche, though those with a scientific cast of mind refuse to accept any such beliefs. Dream it is said is not of a divine origin; rather it has a demonic origin.
According to Strumpell, “in the waking state the mind thinks and imagines by means of verbal images and language, in dreams it thinks and imagines in actual perceptual images.” (Freud 1887, p. 39).Therefore, in dreams the mind preserves the same attitude of images and perceptions as in the waking state. On account of sickness the bodily organs can become an exciting source of dreams. Whilst we have had a contented day we are more bound to see happy dreams and its vice-versa on occasions of gloom.
If mind, body and culture be arranged in a triangle one can comprehend the interrelation and interdependence of the three. The dreams are a collaborated outcome of them. According to many, nerve stimulus and bodily stimulus are the lone and exclusive spring of dreams. The conduct of memory in dreams edifies us that “nothing which we have once psychically possessed is ever entirely lost.” (Freud 1887, p. 34).
Although humans have the right of free will, the end results guide their behavior. What is unknown to us as the reality of the external world, and it is just as imperfectly communicated to us as the data of consciousness as is the external world by the reports of our sense organs.
Culture also plays a key role in the behavior of individuals and it is not entirely free of conceptual and methodological difficulties. The culture of humanity determines whether the theories of Human Nature are sufficient and, according to the need of the environment, it constructs alternative theories.
Next, diagnosis of typical defects of humans, of what tends to go wrong in human life/society has been made possible by the classic studies or interpretations of dreams as carried out by Fraud. The symptoms and the root causes of the human weaknesses have been pointed out by Fraud in the book. No human being is devoid of defects, whether psychological or physical.
Psychological defects get termed under weaknesses which the individual tries to hide and feel ashamed of. The causes of these defects are not the same to all. Human nature varies from different combinations of symptoms and causes.
One symptom can be produced from one cause in one individual while it may not produce the same symptom in the other individual. This variation depends on the nature and surroundings of each and every individual. It may be noted that there are theories to know about ourselves and the universe. The whole trend of evolution of knowledge moves from a passive mode to the active mode. In performance we may never reach complete knowledge but the achieved knowledge will be in reflection of reality.
Finally, prescription or ideal for how human life should best be lived is a significant question ahead whether to chose a model society or a utopia. These paramount questions are clear in the work of Fraud. Accordingly, each individual forms the backbone of the society. Society is a group of like-minded individuals. Men and women together constitute the society.
Men and women are essentially the same and yet there is a vast fundamental difference in terms physical strength and mental views. It is the way they are made. Each has a different way of expressing themselves. This difference can be summed under congenital and natural being of a man and a woman. Within the confines of being a man the behavior of expression depends on person to person and the conditions surrounding him and the same goes for the class; women.
Since the beginning, man has sought a perfect society. A sense of balance of freedom and duties amongst individuals constitute a perfect society. Mutual harmony, best possible life for all, common sense and common purpose are the vital utopian philosophy. It unites the world for good and noble actions. Everyone dreams of a better world, to live in their own vision of paradise so it can be said that utopia is the common dream of Humanity.
Works cited
Freud, Sigmund and Strachey, James (ed). The Interpretation of Dreams. Basic Books: New York. 1955.
Freud, Sigmund. The Interpretation of Dreams. Schlaf und Traum. Leipzig, as quoted in p 18,Plain Label Books. 1887. p. 34. Web.
Freud, Sigmund. The Interpretation of Dreams. Plain Label Books. 1887. p. 39. Web.