How do experiences of internal conflict around forbidden desires illuminate the dynamics between conscious reasoning and unconscious drives?
The experience of internal conflict is a common part of human life, but it becomes particularly intense when it involves our most private thoughts and feelings about sex, sexuality, and intimate relationships. These areas are often subject to powerful social and cultural taboos that make it difficult for people to openly explore their own desires and impulses. As a result, they may struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, or confusion, which can create significant emotional turmoil. This essay will examine how these conflicts relate to the underlying dynamic between conscious reasoning and unconscious drives.
It's important to understand what conscious reasoning is. Conscious reasoning refers to the process of thinking through problems, making decisions, and arriving at conclusions using logic and reason. It involves taking in information from the world around us, analyzing it, and then evaluating possible courses of action based on rational principles. This kind of thinking is highly valued in Western society, where individuals are encouraged to make choices based on objective evidence rather than subjective emotion or intuition.
It also has its limitations, as many factors beyond our control can influence our perception of reality and the choices we make.
We have an unconscious mind that operates beneath the level of awareness, shaping our behavior without our knowledge or consent. Psychologists call this the "iceberg effect," because only a small portion of it is visible above the surface while the vast majority remains hidden. Our unconscious minds contain a wealth of memories, associations, and impulses that shape our attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, even if we don't always recognize them. They can be influenced by factors such as early childhood experiences, cultural conditioning, and past traumas.
When we experience internal conflict over something like sex or relationships, both our conscious reasoning and unconscious drives may come into play. On one hand, we may know intellectually that certain desires or actions are wrong or harmful, so we try to suppress or avoid them. But on the other hand, our unconscious urges may push us towards those very things, creating a sense of tension and dissonance within ourselves.
Someone who grew up in a religious community may believe that premarital sex is immoral but still feel drawn to it due to unresolved feelings about sexuality.
This struggle between reason and desire can lead to significant emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, or self-loathing. It can also cause people to engage in risky behaviors, such as cheating or compulsive pornography use, as a way of coping with their conflicted feelings. In some cases, these conflicts can become debilitating, leading to addiction, isolation, or even self-harm.
Navigating this dynamic requires a delicate balance between rational thinking and emotional awareness. We need to acknowledge the power of our unconscious drives while also recognizing the importance of making ethical choices based on our values and principles. This means being willing to confront difficult truths about ourselves, seeking support from others, and finding healthy outlets for our desires. It also means challenging cultural norms and taboos around sex and intimacy, which often promote rigid binary ideas about gender roles, sexual orientation, and relationship dynamics.
Experiences of internal conflict over forbidden desires reveal how our conscious reasoning and unconscious drives interact to shape our behavior. By understanding this dynamic, we can begin to work through our conflicts more effectively and find greater harmony within ourselves.
It's important to remember that there are no easy answers or quick fixes when it comes to navigating these complex issues. Only by accepting our whole selves - including both reason and emotion - can we hope to achieve true freedom and fulfillment.
How do experiences of internal conflict around forbidden desires illuminate the dynamics between conscious reasoning and unconscious drives?
Internal conflicts are commonplace in humans and often revolve around what they want but feel unable to obtain due to social norms, cultural expectations, or personal beliefs. These desires can be sexual, professional, or existential; for example, a woman who longs to pursue a career in music despite her family's disapproval.