In Freud's psychoanalytic theory, we see the threads of the Cartesian mind, the 'thinking thing' which observes an external world from which it is inherently estranged. We see this notion reflected in drive theory, in which psychical conflicts necessarily arise in the psyche's attempt to satisfy and manage its inherent requirements. Thus for Freud, defense mechanisms such as repression and projection are seen as an attempt to stop this 'container' being flooded with an excess of instinctual energy. Important in challenging this theory was Heidegger's account of being-in-the world, which spoke of Dasein (literally 'being there') rather than a self-determining 'I'. Thus, what was previously spoken of as the 'self' was recontextualized as always already embedded in the world, and in relationship with others. The term 'being-in-the-world' therefore describes the way in which we are necessarily engaged in a meaningful world, rather than as an isolated entity which comes to know the external world after first being aware of 'itself.' This view suggests a new perspective upon human emotions.

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