Psychoanalysis, founded by Sigmund Freud at the end of the 19th century, has been one of the most influential currents in the field of psychology. Among its fundamental concepts is the idea that human beings innately seek two primary goals: to love and to work. These two dimensions of life are considered essential for the psychological and emotional development of people, and are the object of study and reflection in psychoanalytic theory.
The love as a goal of psychoanalysis
From his first formulations, Freud highlighted the importance of love in the lives of individuals. For him, love was a vital impulse that manifested itself in various ways throughout human development. In his theory, Freud distinguished between passionate love and tender love, and noted that loving relationships were marked by ambivalence, that is, by the coexistence of contradictory feelings such as love and hate.
For Freud, love occupied a central place in the psychic structure of people. Through love, individuals establish emotional bonds with others, satisfy their emotional needs and seek personal fulfillment. However, Freud also identified that love could be a source of conflict and tension, especially when it was affected by unconscious drives and desires.
Love in the therapeutic relationship
In the context of psychoanalytic therapy, love plays a crucial role in the relationship between analyst and patient. Freud maintained that the patient should experience feelings of love and transference toward the therapist, since these could reveal deep aspects of his or her internal world. The loving transference allowed the patient to relive past emotional conflicts and explore their relational difficulties.
On the other hand, the analyst had to maintain an empathetic and understanding attitude towards the patient, fostering an environment of trust and security in which could explore their emotional conflicts without fear of judgment. The therapeutic relationship was based on love, understood as the ability to support the other in their process of change and personal growth.
Work as a goal of psychoanalysis
In addition to love, Psychoanalysis considers work as a fundamental goal in people's lives. Freud proposed that work was a source of personal fulfillment and satisfaction, since it allowed drives and desires to be transformed into productive and creative activities. Through work, individuals could find a sense of identity and belonging in the world.
For Freud, work was not limited solely to paid work activity, but encompassed any type of human endeavor. aimed at achieving goals and objectives. From this perspective, work became a means to channel internal drives and conflicts, providing a constructive outlet for emotional tensions.
Work in everyday life
In On a day-to-day basis, work manifests itself in multiple ways, both in the workplace and in daily activities. Psychoanalysis considers work to be an essential dimension of human existence, as it provides structure, discipline and purpose to people's lives. Through work, individuals can develop their abilities, enhance their talents and contribute to collective well-being.
From a psychoanalytic perspective, work also fulfills an important psychological function, allowing people to establish meaningful relationships. with others, develop their self-esteem and strengthen their identity. Work is a means to express creativity, autonomy and personal fulfillment, and becomes a privileged space for personal exploration and transformation.
Love and work as integrated goals
In psychoanalytic theory, love and work are not conceived as separate dimensions, but as interrelated aspects of people's lives. Freud maintained that love and work were two driving forces that drove the psychological and emotional development of individuals, and that their integration was key to achieving fulfillment and psychological well-being.
When love and work work are in balance, people can experience a sense of harmony and satisfaction in their lives. Love provides them with the affection and emotional connection necessary to develop meaningful relationships, while work offers them the opportunity to express their talents and contribute to the world in a positive way.
The importance of love integration- work in therapy
In the therapeutic process, psychoanalysis seeks to promote the integration of love and work in the lives of patients. Through the exploration of conflicts and emotional resistance, it is intended that individuals can overcome the internal barriers that prevent them from loving and working fully and satisfactorily.
Therapeutic work focuses on identifying and unravel the unconscious patterns that hinder emotional development and personal fulfillment. Through the therapeutic relationship, the patient can explore their desires, fears and conflicts related to love and work, allowing for greater self-awareness and profound transformation.
In short, love and work As goals of psychoanalysis they represent an invitation to explore the deepest dimensions of human experience, revealing the complexity and richness of psychological and emotional processes. The harmonious integration of these two dimensions in people's lives is a path to personal fulfillment, emotional fulfillment and psychological well-being.