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Glite Dictionary
🧑‍⚖️ God of death 💀 Death instinct
Thanatos

Thanatos

9.9
A hidden urge to die or act in ways that harm oneself
  • noun
  • /ˈθænəˌtɔs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Thanatos
  • In psychoanalysis, Thanatos represents the death drive that influences our unconscious actions.

Examples

  • The concept of Thanatos contrasts sharply with Eros, the drive for life and creativity.

  • In psychoanalysis, Thanatos represents the death drive.

  • Literary critics have explored themes of Thanatos in twentieth-century poetry.

  • Some Freudian analysts argue that Thanatos explains seemingly self-destructive behavior in humans.

  • The concept of Thanatos is central to Freud's theories.

  • Some Freudian analysts argue that Thanatos explains seemingly self-destructive behavior in humans.

  • The concept of Thanatos contrasts sharply with Eros, the drive for life and creativity.

Synonyms

death instinct
vsThanatos
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A strong hidden wish to die or to harm yourself

is focused on the unconscious drive toward death and self-destruction without the inorganic return

Surface Forms

Thanatos singular
Thanatoses plural

Etymology

Thanatos comes from the Greek word Thanatos, which means 'death'. In psychoanalysis the term Thanatos names a hidden drive toward 'death' and self-destruction, so the word itself points directly to that meaning.