Pleasure principle

Sigmund Freud

According to Freud, the pleasure principle is one of the "two principles of mental functioning" -- in addition to the reality principle.

The pleasure principle directs all mental activity towards obtaining pleasure and avoiding unpleasure.

All mental or psychical activity is directed -- by the pleasure principle -- towards obtaining pleasure and avoiding unpleasure.

All mental or psychical activity is directed towards obtaining pleasure and avoiding unpleasure.

The pleasure principle is closely linked to the prohibition of incest

The pleasure principle is closely related to the prohibition of incest, the symbolic law and the regulation of desire.

The pleasure principle is "that which regulates the distance between the subject and das Ding.