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Simmel's paper presents clinical material and its interpretation, as well as conclusions based on work reported as far back as 1921 and 1924, in papers on 'Primal Repression' and 'Intestinal Libido', and later (1932) on 'Pregenital Instinctual Primacy and Libidinal Organization'. His theory differs to a certain degree from Freud's views, for, according to him, the destructive energies are not manifestations of a death instinct but of an instinct for self-preservation. Freud considered that the oral stage of the libido, the impulse to cannibalistic destruction and the manifestations of the instinct of self-preservation were identical or closely coordinated. With this theory Freud paved the way for new insight, but, in Simmel's view, did not follow it up.
Freud's formulation that the ego, in all its conflicts, can have no other aim than to maintain itself is re-interpretated in terms of the pleasure principle. Self-preservation indicates the ego's impulse to keep itself free from anxiety. The ego's aim to maintain itself expresses its need to restore its narcissistic equilibrium to normal. The narcissistic equilibrium of the mature ego is reflected in unawareness of itself. The narcissistic equilibrium of the immature ego is reflected in a state of unconsciousness. An ego is immature before it develops a workable super-ego or, in a pathological condition, when the super-ego function is regressively disturbed. This is by and large the case in psychotic deteriorations of the ego, where the aim of self-preservation means unconsciousness.
What is the origin of the principle of self-preservation? What are its organic source, aim and object? Simmel answers these questions as follows: 'The origin is the instinct to devour. The organic source is the gastro-intestinal tract. Its aim is to remove the stimulus from the gastro-intestinal tract and its object is food.' Gratification of the sexual instinct removes the excitation of its organic source and preserves the