Tótem y Tabú

"Totem y Tabú" (Totem and Taboo) is a work by Sigmund Freud that explores how cultural practices and beliefs stem from psychological processes rooted in early human development. Freud suggests that societies create totems—sacred symbols representing groups—and develop taboos—prohibitions—based on feelings of shame, guilt, and the need to manage primitive impulses. These concepts help explain the origins of religious rituals, social rules, and moral codes, highlighting how individual unconscious conflicts influence collective customs. Overall, Freud links the development of societal norms to universal human experiences of desire, repression, and the need for social cohesion.