Civilization and Its Discontents Format: Paperback

“Civilization and Its Discontents is Freud’s essential statement of what the insights of psychoanalysis mean for society present and future. As the perils and promises of the 21st century come into view, Civilization and Its Discontents commands renewed attention. Since its publication in 1930, Freud’s cold reminder that we cannot assume the forward march of reason and enlightenment has never been more pertinent. The Norton Critical Edition captures how Civilization and Its Discontents has been seminal in social thought and how it continues to illuminate our contemporary reality.” -Roosevelt Montás, Columbia University 

This Norton Critical Edition includes:  

The Standard Edition of Sigmund Freud’s most famous work, under the general editorship of James Strachey and authorized by Freud.  

Editorial matter by Samuel Moyn.  

Carefully chosen and thematically organized commentaries, including letters between Albert Einstein and Freud and a new essay by Amy Allen adapted for this Norton Critical Edition.  Topics include “The Meaning of Psychoanalysis,” “The Infant, the ‘Oceanic Feeling,’ and the Question of Religion,” “Aggression and Peace,” “Culture and Pessimism in Cold War Liberalism,” and “Liberation or Progress?”  

Suggestions for further reading, a bibliography and an author index, and a general index.  

About the Series

Read by more than 12 million students over fifty-five years, Norton Critical Editions set the standard for apparatus that is right for undergraduate readers. The three-part format―annotated text, contexts, and criticism―helps students to better understand, analyze, and appreciate the literature, while opening a wide range of teaching possibilities for instructors. Whether in print or in digital format, Norton Critical Editions provide all the resources students need.  

“This is Freud’s most sustained statement on the cruelties human beings are capable of inflicting on each other, even as he held out hope that love might yet triumph. Civilization and Its Discontents remains hugely pertinent in light of the ongoing crises and challenges confronting our species. This Norton Critical Edition offers an especially apt and brilliant range of commentaries, perfect for teaching.” ―Dagmar Herzog, Graduate Center, City University of New York 

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) is one of the twentieth century's greatest minds and the founder of the psychoanalytic school of psychology. His many works include The Ego and the Id; An Outline of Psycho-Analysis; Inhibitions; Symptoms and Anxiety; New Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis; Civilization and Its Discontent, and others.

Samuel Moyn is Henry R. Luce Professor of Jurisprudence at Yale Law School and professor of history at Yale University. He previously taught at Harvard University, where he was Jeremiah Smith, Jr. Professor of Law and Professor of History, and at Columbia University, where he was James Bryce Professor of European Legal History. His books include Not Enough: Human Rights in an Unequal World,Christian Human Rights, and The Last Utopia: Human Rights in History. He is a regular contributor to publications including Boston Review, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Dissent, The Nation, The New Republic, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.