Freud, the Big Bang, and the Origin of Life (2016)

©Antti Talvitie, 2016 (revised as noted)
Freud: Wikimedia Commons / Max Halberstad / Public domain

Freud, the Big Bang, and the Origin of Life

Antti Talvitie (aptalvitie(at)gmail.com)

ABSTRACT

In 1924, Freud thought that the “the theory of the instincts is the most important but…the least complete portion of psycho-analysis” (Freud 1905, p 168, fn in 1924).  The paper addresses this matter and starts where Freud broke off his reflections about the origin of life in Beyond the Pleasure Principle: “…that living substance at the time of its coming to life was torn into small particles, which have ever since endeavoured to reunite through the sexual instincts.”

In this paper, these words are placed in the context of the Big Bang beginning of the Universe, which is discussed and then related to concepts and processes in Freud’s theory.  Other theories about the origin of life are discussed briefly.  A hypothesis is then made that Freud’s constructs of life and death instincts are real, a viable fifth force, and absent from the present standard model of physics. They originated with the Big Bang. A companion hypothesis is that, after a supernova, the fifth force’s means of transmission (particles, if particles are used to transmit it) produced elements which when combined with an energy source, formed living prokaryotic cells by a process “of which we have no conception” (Freud’s words).  Simply, and controversially, it is hypothesized that the fifth force ignites the formation of life as it continues to evolve. These hypotheses are discussed, and proposals are made to test them.

The proposed theory should not be equated with vitalism as currently understood. It may seem crazy but, to quote Niels Bohr, “Your theory is crazy, but it's not crazy enough to be true.” The paper dwells on the gap between psychoanalysis and physics; giving necessary context unnecessary to either profession. The text may seem choppy at times, but the reason for the potholes and cracks is the enormous complexity and scope of the subject. So, without apologies, Bohr’s advice applies: “Never express yourself more clearly than you are able to think”.

Key words: Freud, origin of life, the big bang, psychoanalysis, fifth force

FULL PAPER, Pdf, 366 KB, 20 pages.