psychic life

is historical such that sensations which were pleasurable to our ancestors have become intolerable to ourselves.

The psychical modifications that go along with the process of civilisation are striking and unambiguous. They consist in a progressive displacement of instinctual aims and a restriction of instinctual impulses. Sensations which were pleasurable to our ancestors have become indifferent or even intolerable to ourselves... there are organic grounds for the changes in our ethical and aesthetic ideals. (Freud 'why war' : 7)

psychic life, n.All

psychic life