New Books in Psychoanalysis Jon Mills, "End of the World: Civilization and Its Fate" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2024)
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Sep 22, 2025 Jon Mills, an Emeritus Professor of Psychology & Psychoanalysis, dives deep into his latest work exploring civilization's fate. He discusses how Hegel's philosophy intertwines with psychoanalysis, and shares concerns about population growth leading to societal collapse. Mills examines the doomsday argument, questioning if technological advancements can mitigate natural limits. He reflects on unconscious tendencies toward self-destruction, the nature of evil, and the complex dynamics of empathy in countering destructiveness. Ultimately, he urges readers to confront systemic existential threats.
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Technology Is Hope And Risk
- Mills sees technological advances as hopeful but also notes anxieties about AI and unintended consequences.
- He doubts machines will gain human-like consciousness but leaves open technological risks.
Unconscious Drives Shape Action
- Mills defines the unconscious as the large portion of mental life outside awareness shaping emotions and behavior.
- He emphasizes defenses and disguised ways unconscious content infiltrates consciousness.
Collective Death Drive Explains Inaction
- Mills argues humans harbor unconscious self-destructive tendencies, a collective 'death drive' expressed in denial and aggression.
- He links this to climate denial, geopolitical risk, and leaders gambling with catastrophic outcomes.
