Sublimation In Freud’s view, creative or productive behaviors represent the rechan-neling of sexual energy, or libido—an ego defense mechanism he termed sublimation. Freud believed that civilization’s greatest achievements are the result of the sublimation of instinctual energy into socially acceptable activities, like the work of this Cambodian woodcarver. Later personality theorists criticized Freud’s refusal to consider creativity a drive in its own right.
Tom Cockrem/age fotostock