Excellent understanding of the different modes of living and seeing. The person who sees having as the way to live involves endless scheming and striving in competition with other humans and an alienation from Nature. This is our consumer culture.
The person who sees being as the way to live cares not about possessions, competing and wants to be One with Nature. I sense that there are people here on the Substack community who see the former as life-draining and the latter as life-affirming. This is our real human selves.
Thank you, Perry. You are exactly right, wanting to possess things, people, animals, Nature, etc is a vicious circle, the programming of which drilled in from childhood by the education system, particularly in boarding school which is brutal on children and becomes a 'right of passage' to do harm. It turns the elite into sociopaths, severely damaged by unresolved trauma, who run and perpetuate the corrupt system. I love that Erich Fromm recognised this in the 70s, predicted the trajectory and provided and understanding for us to benefit from today. He was considered to be Marxist which is not true, a deception used against him to hide his genuine love for humanity. I am posting more reviews re my post on Biophilia and so glad it is of interest.
Yes, the system in place enables and promotes such destructive and unhealthy human ways. If I understand correctly, Erich Fromm viewed himself as a humanist. Other descriptive labels are not at all helpful to explain Fromm's vision, which is both good and beautiful.
You are so welcome, Jamie. I just read it again and it's a lot to take in but breathtakingly simple and beatuiful at the same time. We can learn so much from this, I am delighted you enjoyed it.
Btw, my "Editor Eye" typo: Fromm's birthdate year is 1900 not 1990.
I taught this book circa 1998 at the San Francisco downtown Borders Books store as a bookseller there running promotional reading events.
This book remains a staple in my “Pairing Today For Life” work with couples along with Nathaniel Branden’s The Psychology of Romantic Love.
I essentially agree with Fromm’s ideas except when he goes transcendental to his mystical we-are-all-one in unconditional Socialist love; and when he parades around with his mind’s midriff exposed railing against the Free Market showing his Stretch Marx [sicK].
I hope you (and please invite any friends/readers) will join our Free Friends Forum post #5 that discusses Fromm’s
MAN FOR HIMSELF--Man's main task in life is to give birth to himself, Erich Fromm
Free Friends Forum: Abandoned To Ourselves--Naturalism, Humanism, Individualism Post #5
Wow, this all sounds very interesting. I have been reading and extracting what I think to be useful for us today in understanding real human needs and particularly our need to be connected with Nature. I have 3 more books to write about including the one you mention. I will be interested to know what you think about those going forward. And then it's Abraham Maslow so no time to dwell at this point on one book per say or one discussion on Fromm himself. All part of a wider study to tie in and support my late Dad, Jeff Cartwright's academic work on motivation in organisational cultures which I am adapting for young people. I will amend the date error, thank you.
Thank you, Jacqueline. It's such beautiful work, I so wanted to share. I've been re-reading his books over the last few months - just realised, exactly 50 years later - OMW - with all that's gone on! The synchronicities are incredible. We can learn so much from this wonderful man, it's his legacy to us. I love that you love it too. Way to go, soul sister!
Wow!! I so appreciate you sharing his work and legacy with us, Sue! Magic, synchronicities, and deep connections...SO timely and nourishing for our souls! xox
I agree, Jackqueline! It's beautiful the way it works. Starting here when I did, getting to know you, posting every week! It's flowing like a dream and meant to BE! I love you guys and so glad it helps, makes me super-happy. Sending my love.
Excellent understanding of the different modes of living and seeing. The person who sees having as the way to live involves endless scheming and striving in competition with other humans and an alienation from Nature. This is our consumer culture.
The person who sees being as the way to live cares not about possessions, competing and wants to be One with Nature. I sense that there are people here on the Substack community who see the former as life-draining and the latter as life-affirming. This is our real human selves.
Thank you, Perry. You are exactly right, wanting to possess things, people, animals, Nature, etc is a vicious circle, the programming of which drilled in from childhood by the education system, particularly in boarding school which is brutal on children and becomes a 'right of passage' to do harm. It turns the elite into sociopaths, severely damaged by unresolved trauma, who run and perpetuate the corrupt system. I love that Erich Fromm recognised this in the 70s, predicted the trajectory and provided and understanding for us to benefit from today. He was considered to be Marxist which is not true, a deception used against him to hide his genuine love for humanity. I am posting more reviews re my post on Biophilia and so glad it is of interest.
Yes, the system in place enables and promotes such destructive and unhealthy human ways. If I understand correctly, Erich Fromm viewed himself as a humanist. Other descriptive labels are not at all helpful to explain Fromm's vision, which is both good and beautiful.
Oh wow! This is fantastic. Thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome, Jamie. I just read it again and it's a lot to take in but breathtakingly simple and beatuiful at the same time. We can learn so much from this, I am delighted you enjoyed it.
Good timing, Sue. Our Free Friends Forum Post #5 is on Erich Fromm’s “Man For Himself”.
His “The Art of Being” for me is one of his lesser accomplishments.
I note you wrote a post on what I consider one of Erich’s best, The Art of Loving:
https://suecartwright.substack.com/p/the-art-of-loving-by-erich-fromm
Btw, my "Editor Eye" typo: Fromm's birthdate year is 1900 not 1990.
I taught this book circa 1998 at the San Francisco downtown Borders Books store as a bookseller there running promotional reading events.
This book remains a staple in my “Pairing Today For Life” work with couples along with Nathaniel Branden’s The Psychology of Romantic Love.
I essentially agree with Fromm’s ideas except when he goes transcendental to his mystical we-are-all-one in unconditional Socialist love; and when he parades around with his mind’s midriff exposed railing against the Free Market showing his Stretch Marx [sicK].
I hope you (and please invite any friends/readers) will join our Free Friends Forum post #5 that discusses Fromm’s
MAN FOR HIMSELF--Man's main task in life is to give birth to himself, Erich Fromm
Free Friends Forum: Abandoned To Ourselves--Naturalism, Humanism, Individualism Post #5
SUBSTACK
https://responsiblyfree.substack.com/p/man-for-himself-mans-main-task-in
Wow, this all sounds very interesting. I have been reading and extracting what I think to be useful for us today in understanding real human needs and particularly our need to be connected with Nature. I have 3 more books to write about including the one you mention. I will be interested to know what you think about those going forward. And then it's Abraham Maslow so no time to dwell at this point on one book per say or one discussion on Fromm himself. All part of a wider study to tie in and support my late Dad, Jeff Cartwright's academic work on motivation in organisational cultures which I am adapting for young people. I will amend the date error, thank you.
Beautifully expressed, Sue!!
Thank you for Being you!! xox
Thank you, Jacqueline. It's such beautiful work, I so wanted to share. I've been re-reading his books over the last few months - just realised, exactly 50 years later - OMW - with all that's gone on! The synchronicities are incredible. We can learn so much from this wonderful man, it's his legacy to us. I love that you love it too. Way to go, soul sister!
Wow!! I so appreciate you sharing his work and legacy with us, Sue! Magic, synchronicities, and deep connections...SO timely and nourishing for our souls! xox
I agree, Jackqueline! It's beautiful the way it works. Starting here when I did, getting to know you, posting every week! It's flowing like a dream and meant to BE! I love you guys and so glad it helps, makes me super-happy. Sending my love.