In the Civilization & Die Wekltanschaung 1918, Sigmund Freud presents his perception of worldview philosophies. He defined the worldview as an intellectual construction which offers solutions to problems of each and every individual’s existence in a uniform manner on the basis of one overriding hypothesis. Freud dwells on the meaning and purpose of existence .He argues that the goal of living is to find pleasure. Under his assessment, Freud views morality and conscience as defined by human experience. On religion, Freud employs a scientific view that dwells on research and facts rather than faith in a supreme being. Freud also offers light on the difference between culture and civilization where culture focuses on spiritual, intellectual and artistic phenomena and the latter focuses on material, technical, economic and social facts.
The Decline of the West of 1922 by Oswald Spengler predicts the disintegration of the western civilization. The western civilization is defined as imperial and short-lived by comparing it with the transition from Napoleonism to Caesarism. He predicts war brought about by a liberalized army and battle for western supremacy. He further cites democracy as a ploy to bring to power tyrants or Caesars. This is contrary to Freudian perspective that does not take a pessimistic stance on western civilization. Freud also does not focus on the future of the different worldviews but rather the individual understanding of philosophies.
The two articles are in support of the culture that is devoid of materialism, greed, individualism and economic competition. They both acknowledge anxiety in the west due to the integration of ideal western perceptions such as Marxism. The western civilization is said to be reaching winter by Spengler a stage of exhaustion of intellectual organization and rise of irreligiousness. The author also portrays a negative political cycle from democracy, the rule of the wealthy to bureaucracy and Caesarism.
Works Cited
"Modern History Sourcebook: Sigmund Freud: Civilization & Die Weltanschauung,1918."FORDHAM.EDU. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Aug. 2013.
“Modern History Sourcebook: Oswald Spengler, The Decline of the West, 2.”FORDHAM.EDU. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Aug. 2013.
