Final answer:
Contemporary society's focus on the 'erotic' pertains predominantly to the sexual and pleasure-seeking aspects, aligning with Freud's concept of Eros, the pleasure principle. It lacks the comprehensive life-affirming aspects Freud assigned to Eros and doesn't typically encompass the self-destructive and aggressive nature of Thanatos, the death drive.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing the society's interest in the "erotic," it differs from Sigmund Freud's conception of Eros and Thanatos. Freud referred to Eros as the pleasure principle, which encompasses the human drive for life, creativity, sexuality, and self-preservation. On the other hand, Thanatos represents the death drive, characterized by aggression, self-destruction, and a desire for finality, which is in opposition to the lifeforce of Eros.
In contemporary society, when we speak of the 'erotic,' it is often reduced to the sexual aspect and is chiefly concerned with physical pleasure, sensuality, or romantic attraction, which aligns more closely with Freud's idea of Eros.
However, the societal portrayal often lacks the depth that Freud associated with Eros as a life-sustaining force. The pull towards what Freud called Thanatos may manifest in society's fascination with violence, morbidity, and destructive behaviors, but this is not typically what is implied when people refer to the 'erotic.'
Moreover, sociologists look at how different societies interpret sexuality and sexual behavior, demonstrating that while interest in the erotic is a cultural universal, the ways it's expressed and understood can vary greatly.
The fixation on sexuality in today's society, both in its consumption and the identity built around it, might reflect a complex interplay between Freud's notions of Eros and Thanatos, where desires are pursued for pleasure but can also lead to obsession and self-destructive outcomes.