Eros and Thanatos

Eros and Thanatos are concepts from psychoanalysis representing fundamental human drives. Eros, derived from the Greek god of love, embodies life instincts such as love, passion, creativity, and the pursuit of pleasure. Thanatos, linked to the god of death, symbolizes death instincts, including aggression, self-destruction, and the drive toward chaos. These forces interact within the psyche, influencing behavior, motivation, and emotion—Eros fostering connection and growth, while Thanatos can lead to destructive tendencies. Understanding this duality helps explain the complex, often conflicting nature of human impulses.