---
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title: "The Future of an Illusion (Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud)"
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# The Future of an Illusion (Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud)

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Review: The illusion of religion according to Freud - Throughout this book Freud responds to would-be criticism to his views and claims which i thought were all apt arguments against the points Freud was trying to make. This was definitely one book that i was sad to see end. I felt that a lot more could have been said and that it was cut a bit short. While the ending quote, stated by another reviewer, seems to draw the most important pieces of this book together and ends it well, it was still disappointingly short. Keep in mind, Freud's opinions and conclusion that are illustrated throughout this book, and all his others are all products of his many years as the father of psychoanalysis. The topic of this book seems to be very touchy, something you can't talk about with people, Freud basically states that you're not going to convince people otherwise when they strongly believe in something, as people often do religion. As an Atheist myself, i was more compelled to believe and be encouraged by these arguments and views on religion. The approach Freud took towards this is not merely the effect of religion on the single person, but on a civilization. Why religion comes about, and why it seems to be needed by that civilization. This is a larger form of religious effect than i had previously read about, which just made this book even more interesting to me. The most interesting point that was made, in my opinion, is Freud's argument for law over commandment or rule. As an Atheist, i always considered the most important role of a religion on a society (I'll use Christianity as my example) was to employ strong unchangeable, yet simple and morally correct rules, or commandments. These created no 'wiggle' room for any believer, it was either do not kill, or go to hell and suffer eternal damnation. This added a long term incentive with, to the believer, strong consequences. However, in the view of Sigmund Freud, it is actually better to have this as a law, rather than a commandment, because "the civilization will focus on bettering the law rather than abolishing it." I'm strongly inclined to change my view on this topic after reading this book. When given and unchangeable rule, such as a commandment, people will naturally appose it, and seek its destruction. While this is not always true, the basis for this argument makes sense. When you were young, and your parents made an irrefutable law that you are not to eat chocolate at seven in the evening, all you could think about is wanting to eat that chocolate, even though you knew it would keep you awake all night. If this was NOT an irrefutable law, but was just a rule that is somewhat changeable, something that has a middle ground, people will naturally seek to better this rule, rather than get rid of it completely. I'm certain there are arguments against this train of thought, as there is always an opposing force. This book has introduced several opinions that differ even my own. Most of which is find extremely fascinating as they are yet another way of looking at things. Overall, this is a very well written book. As all Freud's book, it takes a bit of thought while reading it, and it's not recommended for light reading. Though if you're a believer of any religion with a relatively open mind, read this book, think about it, then move on. As per my golden principle when it comes to any religion that worships or believes in a god or gods. A deity is merely a concept, though it is a special kind if concept, it's one that cannot be proven, not can it be labeled impossible. It is something we'll never know the truth about, and i proudly recognize that fact. If anyone actually took the time to read this review, I thank you for your time and patience, and enjoy the book! 5/5 stars.
Review: A great argument against organized religion! - In this brief book the renowned psychoanalyst lays out an argument against organized religion. Even if you disagree with Freud's views on this at least it is stimulating to read and may challenge you to think more deeply about your convictions.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #147,421 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #48 in Behavioral Psychology (Books) #89 in Medical Psychoanalysis #144 in Popular Psychology Psychoanalysis |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (529) |
| Dimensions  | 5.3 x 0.3 x 7.8 inches |
| Edition  | The Standard |
| ISBN-10  | 0393008312 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-0393008319 |
| Item Weight  | 2.31 pounds |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 112 pages |
| Publication date  | September 17, 1989 |
| Publisher  | W. W. Norton & Company |

## Images

![The Future of an Illusion (Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51cXc8d6KSL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The illusion of religion according to Freud
*by C***S on January 7, 2011*

Throughout this book Freud responds to would-be criticism to his views and claims which i thought were all apt arguments against the points Freud was trying to make. This was definitely one book that i was sad to see end. I felt that a lot more could have been said and that it was cut a bit short. While the ending quote, stated by another reviewer, seems to draw the most important pieces of this book together and ends it well, it was still disappointingly short. Keep in mind, Freud's opinions and conclusion that are illustrated throughout this book, and all his others are all products of his many years as the father of psychoanalysis. The topic of this book seems to be very touchy, something you can't talk about with people, Freud basically states that you're not going to convince people otherwise when they strongly believe in something, as people often do religion. As an Atheist myself, i was more compelled to believe and be encouraged by these arguments and views on religion. The approach Freud took towards this is not merely the effect of religion on the single person, but on a civilization. Why religion comes about, and why it seems to be needed by that civilization. This is a larger form of religious effect than i had previously read about, which just made this book even more interesting to me. The most interesting point that was made, in my opinion, is Freud's argument for law over commandment or rule. As an Atheist, i always considered the most important role of a religion on a society (I'll use Christianity as my example) was to employ strong unchangeable, yet simple and morally correct rules, or commandments. These created no 'wiggle' room for any believer, it was either do not kill, or go to hell and suffer eternal damnation. This added a long term incentive with, to the believer, strong consequences. However, in the view of Sigmund Freud, it is actually better to have this as a law, rather than a commandment, because "the civilization will focus on bettering the law rather than abolishing it." I'm strongly inclined to change my view on this topic after reading this book. When given and unchangeable rule, such as a commandment, people will naturally appose it, and seek its destruction. While this is not always true, the basis for this argument makes sense. When you were young, and your parents made an irrefutable law that you are not to eat chocolate at seven in the evening, all you could think about is wanting to eat that chocolate, even though you knew it would keep you awake all night. If this was NOT an irrefutable law, but was just a rule that is somewhat changeable, something that has a middle ground, people will naturally seek to better this rule, rather than get rid of it completely. I'm certain there are arguments against this train of thought, as there is always an opposing force. This book has introduced several opinions that differ even my own. Most of which is find extremely fascinating as they are yet another way of looking at things. Overall, this is a very well written book. As all Freud's book, it takes a bit of thought while reading it, and it's not recommended for light reading. Though if you're a believer of any religion with a relatively open mind, read this book, think about it, then move on. As per my golden principle when it comes to any religion that worships or believes in a god or gods. A deity is merely a concept, though it is a special kind if concept, it's one that cannot be proven, not can it be labeled impossible. It is something we'll never know the truth about, and i proudly recognize that fact. If anyone actually took the time to read this review, I thank you for your time and patience, and enjoy the book! 5/5 stars.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A great argument against organized religion!
*by A***R on April 17, 2024*

In this brief book the renowned psychoanalyst lays out an argument against organized religion. Even if you disagree with Freud's views on this at least it is stimulating to read and may challenge you to think more deeply about your convictions.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very readible and the logic is reasonable. But are humans more varied than this?
*by P***D on June 8, 2017*

Bottom Line First: Sigmund Freud’s The Future of an Illusion is a monograph that proposes a psychological origin of all religion and while expressing his preference that religion, at least in Europe should fade away. Freud admits that the alternative may be little other than an earth bound doctrine. Ultimately he is not certain that this change can happen only that he would prefer it. This is a relatively easy read. Freud rarely employs academic language or sophisticated logic. The result is progression of ideas driven by logic and built around a nearly Socratic dialogue between himself and a doubting other self. Unlike Socrates, Freud does not hobble the doubting speaker by limiting doubt to weak defensive arguments. The result is a re balanced discussion of a topic that could have been hyperbolic or designed to humiliate religious believers. The Future of an Illusion is recommended. Freud treats his reader with respect. He is advocating an end to religion but not in such a way as to deny the honorable role of religion or to question the intellect of the believer. The Future of an Illusion is one of several extended essays by Freud outside of his medical and psychological studies. It is not his only work to address the role and root causes for religious belief. He embraces the social utility of religion as a major factor above nation and therefore above question in its authority over certain socially necessary values. Of we accept a purely logic driven basis for religion and play down any human need for magic or extra logical stories and authorities, It is possible to project a time when people stop needing or desiring religion. However I think Freud steps too quickly from the individual, psychologically driven purpose for religion into it as role in smoothing social conformity. Freud concludes that religion is seized upon by an immature person to give a more identifiably human identity to the indifferent blank stare and harsh hand of nature and fate. The more god<s> are like humans the more likely the human can seek exception to the random violence of nature. So far so good. But as much as the religious like to evoke their ‘fear’ of god<s> just as many extoled the majesty and beauty of a magic that lights the life of the believer. Ultimately in a choice between logic and magic. It seems unrealistic to believe that the one will ever remove the other as operating force among humans. Freud recognizes that many become religious before they are old enough to question it. He does not seem to grasp that humans are varied and that a individual preference for logic over religion implies that there will always be others with a preference for religion over logic.

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