Erich Fromm

Why do people choose authoritarianism over freedom? The classic study of the psychological appeal of fascism by a New York Times–bestselling author. The pursuit of freedom has indelibly marked Western culture since Renaissance humanism and Protestantism began the fight for individualism and self-determination. This freedom, however, can make people feel unmoored, and is often accompanied by feelings of isolation, fear, and the loss of self, all leading to a desire for authoritarianism, conformity, or destructiveness. It is not only the question of freedom that makes Fromm’s debut book a timeless classic. In this examination of the roots of Nazism and fascism in Europe, Fromm also explains how economic and social constraints can also lead to authoritarianism. By the author of The Sane Society and The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness, this is a fascinating examination of the anxiety that underlies our darkest impulses, an enlightening volume perfect for readers of Eric Hoffer or Hannah Arendt. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Erich Fromm including rare images and never-before-seen documents from the author’s estate.

<p>There is no meaning to life except the meaning man gives his life by the unfolding of his powers. &#8212;Erich FrommAre we primarily determined by nature or nurture? What are the best ways that people can live productively? In Man for Himself, renowned social philosopher Erich Fromm posits: With the gifts of self-consciousness and imagination, any individual can give his or her own unique answer. This answer is rooted in our human nature, and should correspond to mankind's powers of reason and love. Therefore, Fromm reasons, living itself is an art. In his humanistic concept of man, Fromm describes various character orientations that are to be found in Western culture. For the first time, Fromm analyzes the parallels between economic concepts of market value and how we value others and ourselves&#8212;the idea of personality as a commodity. He argues for a return to humanistic ethics, and discusses issues such as the question of conscience, of selfishness and self-love, and of... “There is no meaning to life except the meaning man gives his life by the unfolding of his powers.” —Erich FrommAre we primarily determined by nature or nurture? What are the best ways that people can live productively? In Man for Himself, renowned social philosopher Erich Fromm posits: With the gifts of self-consciousness and imagination, any individual can give his or her own unique answer. This answer is rooted in our human nature, and should correspond to mankind’s powers of reason and love. Therefore, Fromm reasons, “living itself is an art.” In his humanistic concept of man, Fromm describes various character orientations that are to be found in Western culture. For the first time, Fromm analyzes the parallels between economic concepts of market value and how we value others and ourselves—the idea of personality as a commodity. He argues for a return to humanistic ethics, and discusses issues such as the question of conscience, of selfishness and self-love, and of pleasure and happiness. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Erich Fromm including rare images and never-before-seen documents from the author’s estate.

Warum interessieren sich Psychotherapeuten für den Zen-Buddhismus? Was hat die im westlichen Denken beheimatete Psychoanalyse mit der östlich-mystischen Erlösungslehre des Zen zu tun? Gemeinsam ist ihnen, so Erich Fromm, das Interesse am Wohl-Sein und am Gelingen des Menschen. Erich Fromm arbeitet in diesem Buch sowohl die Unterschiede als auch die Gemeinsamkeiten von Psychoanalyse und Zen-Buddhismus heraus. Er zeigt, wie beide Methoden zu weniger Verdrängung und gleichzeitig zu mehr Bewusstsein führen und sich somit auf eine ganz besondere und außergewöhnliche Weise ergänzen. Nirgends sonst hat Erich Fromm die Bedeutung der Psychoanalyse so überzeugend dargestellt wie in diesem Buch.

An exploration of what religion and spirituality mean to us as humans, by the New York Times–bestselling author and social psychologist. In 1950, Erich Fromm attempted to free religion from its social function and to develop a new understanding of religious phenomena. Rather than analyzing what people believe in—whether they’re monotheistic, polytheistic, or atheistic—Fromm presents an idea of what religion means in secular terms. In his timeless and straightforward style, Fromm unmasks the alienating effects of any authoritarian religion. He reveals how a humanistic religion is conducive to one’s own humanity, and explains why psychoanalysis does not threaten religion. Whether you’re a believer or a long-time atheist, Fromm’s erudite analysis of religion is sure to reshape your concept of spirituality. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Erich Fromm including rare images and never-before-seen documents from the author’s estate.

The renowned psychoanalyst and New York Times–bestselling author of The Art of Loving unites philosophy from the East and West. In 1957, social philosopher and psychoanalyst Erich Fromm invited Daisetz T. Suzuki, the most famous Zen Buddhist master in the Western world, to a seminar at his new home in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Their discussion was one of the highlights of Fromm’s life, and the paper Fromm presented (and later expanded into a book) was a watershed work. Fromm demonstrates his mastery of the philosophy and practice of Zen, perfectly articulating how Zen tenets fit into the ideas of psychoanalysis. In this text, he creates new perspectives on both systems of thought. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Erich Fromm including rare images and never-before-seen documents from the author’s estate.

DIVRenowned psychoanalyst Erich Fromm examines the creator of psychoanalysis and his followers/divDIV/divDIVWith his creation of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud redefined how people relate to themselves and to the larger world. In Sigmund Freud’s Mission, Freud scholar and psychoanalyst Erich Fromm demonstrates how Freud’s life experiences shaped his creation and practice of psychoanalysis./divDIV /divDIVFromm also revises parts of Freud’s theories, especially Freud’s libido theory. In his thorough and comprehensive analysis, Fromm looks deep into the personality of Freud, and the followers who tried to dogmatize Freud’s theory rather than support the further stages of psychoanalysis./divDIV/divDIVThis ebook features an illustrated biography of Erich Fromm including rare images and never-before-seen documents from the author’s estate./divDIV /div

“[A] groundbreaking study combining psychoanalytical and anthropological methods to analyse the impact of industrialization on ‘peasants.’” —Booknews The renowned psychoanalyst Erich Fromm analyzed more than just general society and societal processes. Together with Michael Maccoby, he completed a study of Mexican villagers to empirically illustrate how historical, economic, and social requirements determine behavior. Social Character in a Mexican Village does much more than introduce a new approach to the analysis of social phenomena. It throws new light on one of the world’s most pressing problems, the impact of the industrialized world on the traditional character of the laboring class. Unanimously, the book is an outstanding introduction to Fromm’s concept of social character. “Fromm and Maccoby have written a study of crucial importance.” —Richard J. Barnet, Institute for Policy Studies

The legendary social psychologist and New York Times–bestselling author meditates on ideas of mental health and normalcy in contemporary society. At the beginning of the 1950s, Erich Fromm increasingly questioned whether people in contemporary industrial society were mentally healthy. Eventually the topic of various lectures, Fromm’s new social psychoanalytic approach enabled him to further develop the psychoanalytic method into a comprehensive critique of the pathology of the “normal,” socially adjusted human being. He was thus able to subject to a radical analysis the widespread strivings that dominate behavior in society—and therefore question what is “normal,” what is beneficial to mental health, and what makes people ill. In The Pathology of Normalcy, Fromm examines the concepts of mental health and mental illness in modern society. He discusses, through a series of lectures, subjects including a frame of reference for evaluating mental health, the relationship between mental health issues and alienation, and the connection between psychological and economic theory. Finally, he elucidates how humanity can overcome “the insane society,” as well as its own innate laziness.

DIVDIVBestselling author Erich Fromm revisits Sigmund Freud’s work, ushering psychoanalysis into the modern age/divDIVIn The Revision of Psychoanalysis, renowned psychoanalyst and social psychologist Erich Fromm applies his innovative, humanist approach to Freud’s often contradictory ideas. Fromm pays special attention to the fact that human beings’ main problem has been the way they are related to the outer world, to others, and to themselves. Human passions and their effects have to be explained differently than Freud did, and psychoanalysis must be revised to accommodate this—a fact Fromm explains in his typically brilliant way. The result is a comprehensive, updated look at psychoanalysis and humanistic thinking that is as relevant today as when it was first written./divDIV /divDIVThis ebook features an illustrated biography of Erich Fromm including rare images and never-before-seen documents from the author’s estate./div/div

Following the publication of the seminal Fear of Freedom, Erich Fromm applied his unique vision to a critique of contemporary capitalism in The Sane Society. Where the former dealt with man's historic inability to come to terms with his sense of isolation, and the dangers to which this can lead, The Sane Society took his theories one step further. In doing so it established Fromm as one of the most controversial political thinkers of his generation. Anaylsing how individuals conform to contemporary capitalist and patriarchal societies, the book was published to wide acclaim and even wider disapproval. It was a scathing indictment of modern capitalism and as such proved unwelcome to many. Unwelcome because much of what Fromm had to say was true. Today, as we settle into the challenges of the 21st century, Fromm's writings are just as relevant as when they were first written. Read it and decide for yourself - are you living in a sane society?