About Body Spirit: Effort, animation and psychosomatics in the military profession

Abstract

The present article intends to treat in a critical way some psychological postulates regarding the so-called “Body Spirit” and the conformation of human groups in the military work. To this end, the psychoanalytic approaches of Sigmund Freud, who understand the superior leader as central figure, are confronted with some current philosophical positions that emphasize the shared experience of effort as the main generator of affinities among the soldiers. This is intended to understand some imperatives related to leadership, military values and their particular ethos, which always shows close relationship between humans facing adversity and combat.