Quotessence
Home / Topics / Faustian Bargain Quotes

Faustian Bargain Quotes

Browse 5 quotes about Faustian Bargain.

Faustian Bargain Quotes

“Psychology’s service to U.S. national security has produced a variant of what the psychiatrist Robert Lifton has called, in his study of Nazi doctors, a “Faustian bargain.” In this case, the price paid has been the American Psychological Association’s collective silence, ethical “numbing,” and, over time, historical amnesia. 3 Indeed, Lifton emphasizes that “the Nazis were not the only ones to involve doctors in evil”; in defense of this argument, he cites the Cold War “role of …American physicians and psychologists employed by the Central Intelligence Agency…for unethical medical and psychological experiments involving drugs and mind manipulation.” 4”

EvilTortureCold WarCiaMind ControlAmnesiaHuman Rights ViolationsHuman Rights AbusePsychological ManipulationTraumatic AmnesiaFaustian BargainConspiracy Of SilenceSelective AmnesiaUnethical TreatmentCollective SilenceEthical ViolationsNazi Doctors
Book:Torture and Impunity: The U.S. Doctrine of Coercive Interrogation
Create image

“Living in 21st century civilisation entails a neo-Faustian bargain. In return for your ‘soul’ (or at least your fundamental authenticity, let’s say), you will receive extensive benefits. Immortality isn’t yet available but relative affluence, a well-distracted sense of amortality and longevity are clear benefits. Freud (1908/2001) understood the bargain involved in surrendering thus, repressing the depths of our instincts and giving huge status to the superego. Society will soothe your anxieties if you smile rather than frown, and always reply ‘Fine’ to the meaningless ‘How are you?’ An occasional, darkly leaky ‘Mustn’t grumble’ may be tolerated. Endorse the status quo, have children and don’t talk about suffering and death. Absolutely avoid ‘that odd shit’ spoken by weirdos like Rust Cohle (see Chapter 4). For the superior neo-Faustian package of enhanced benefits, help to boost capitalism with entrepreneurial projects; support (indeed be part of) religion, psychotherapy, the self-help industry and the rhetoric of well-being and flourishing; distance yourself from civilisation’s discontents, especially DRs; do not get visibly ill, old or die, or be very discreet or upbeat about it when it happens. If you ever consider defecting to the DR club, you may rapidly lose all benefits.”

CompromiseBargainFaustian BargainRust Cohle
Book:Depressive Realism: Interdisciplinary perspectives
Create image

“In all those stories about people who sold their souls to the devil, I never quite understood why the devil was the bad guy, or why it was okay to screw him out of his soul. They got what they wanted: fame, money, love, whatever—though usually it turned out not to be what they really wanted or expected. Was that the devil's fault? I never thought so. Like John Wayne said, "Life's tough. It's even tougher when you're stupid.”

LifeSoulWishStupidDevilDeal With The DevilFaustianFaustian BargainBe Careful What You Wish ForSold My SoulSold Your Soul
Book:The Never-Open Desert Diner
Create image