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.

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

The pleasure principle directs all mental or psychical 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 aims exclusively at obtaining pleasure and avoiding unpleasure.

Unpleasure is related to the increase of quantities of excitation. (and plesure to their reduction_

The latter results from increased excitation.

The pleasure principle therefore serves to reduce tension and to return the psyche to a state of equilibrium or constancy.

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.