“There is no doubt that the resistance of the conscious and unconscious ego operates under the sway of the pleasure principle.”
— Sigmund Freud
Simplified Meaning:
The idea here is that people are guided by what makes them feel good, even if they don’t realize it. Our mind, both the part we are aware of and the part we aren’t, pushes us to seek pleasure and avoid things that cause discomfort. For instance, if you have a big project to do, your mind might tempt you to procrastinate and watch TV instead, because it feels more enjoyable in that moment. Both conscious thoughts (like deciding to watch TV) and unconscious motives (like feeling stressed by the project) are influenced by this desire for pleasure. In life, understanding this can help you recognize why you might put off important tasks or make choices that don’t seem logical. By being aware of this tendency, you can better control your actions and make decisions that lead to long-term happiness, not just immediate comfort.
