Special Reviews: Freud's Zukunft Einer Illusion*

Freud's “Die Zukunft Einer Illusion” is a small book of ninety—one pages divided into ten chapters. It does not pretend to be a scientific treatise either in context or in style. In spite of its compactness—about twenty thousand words—the discussion is rather leisurely and informal, touching upon a number of subjects which all converge upon the central idea of the illusory character of religion. To enliven the discussion, a dialogue with a fictitious adversary is developed on several occasions, reminding one of the Socratic technique first employed by Freud in the book which preceded this one. This method, so favored by the author in his recent writings, may not be regarded as really new with him, being only a formal dramatization of his old, characteristic method of constantly raising doubts and bringing up counter—arguments and objections to his own thesis.

In general, the book impresses one as a mellow product of a midsummer's rest in the country. The presentation is always lucid and elegant, and pervaded by a warm, sympathetic earnestness.

I think we can best follow Freud's thesis by glancing at each chapter separately, and noting the contribution of each one.

******

The first chapter is an idealistic review of culture and its institutions. Freud interprets human culture as (a) all the knowledge acquired by mankind to overcome the forces of nature, and (b) the institutions for the distribution of man's goods and the regulation of human relations. Man cannot live in isolation, yet he feels the pressure of his consummate culture. Hence, culture must be defended against individuals. A minority has been clever enough to impose cultural advantages upon a resisting majority. The masses are inert and without vision. They must be compelled by influential leaders to abandon immediate urges and to feel ambition for socially desirable successes. To the objection that these characteristics of the majority are consequences of a deficient culture, Freud replies