thanatos Definition
the death drive or death instinct, a term used in Freudian psychology to describe the human desire for self-destruction and the return to an inorganic state.
Using thanatos: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "thanatos" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The concept of Thanatos is central to Freud's psychoanalytic theory.
Example
The artist's work explores themes of Eros and Thanatos.
thanatos Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for thanatos
- death drive
- death instinct
Phrases with thanatos
a concept in Freudian psychology that describes the two opposing drives of life and death, respectively
Example
The artist's work explores themes of Eros and Thanatos.
a term used in psychology to describe a child's unconscious desire for death or self-destruction
Example
The therapist diagnosed the patient with a Thanatos complex.
Example
The concept of the Thanatos instinct is controversial among psychologists.
Origins of thanatos
from Greek 'Thanatos', the personification of death in Greek mythology
Summary: thanatos in Brief
The term 'thanatos' [thəˈneɪtɒs] refers to the human desire for self-destruction and the return to an inorganic state, as described in Freudian psychology. It is often contrasted with the life drive, or Eros, and is central to psychoanalytic theory. The concept of Thanatos extends into phrases like 'Eros and Thanatos,' which describe the opposing drives of life and death, and 'Thanatos complex,' which describes a child's unconscious desire for death or self-destruction.
