The Positive Role of Aggression in HEGEL, LACAN and SPITZ

Abstract

Wilfried Ver Eecke*

Common sense opinion holds that aggression is bad and should be avoided. In this paper I will argue, on the contrary, that aggression, mobilized in a civilized form, is desirable. This is a different idea than the one already discussed in psychological literature, i.e., that positive affects are present in aggression. Here I am not discussing the emotions that go into aggression. I discuss the positive effects of mobilizing aggression. I will show the positive consequences of mobilizing aggression in three cases: first, in the transition from sense awareness to perception; second, in the acquisition of the meaning of the word ???no??? and third, in sibling rivalry.