For Erich Fromm, the main task of the human being in life is to give themselves the light to become what he really is, into someone nobler, stronger and freer. These and other reflections demonstrate this humanistic and at the same time revolutionary perspective of a very important figure in psychology. Besides, we’re talking about someone who’s considered the philosopher of love.
When we refer to psychoanalytic theory, there are still those who make the mistake of seeing it as a whole, as the same rigid and specific entity, where very clear concepts, dynamics and approaches live, articulated by the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud. It may have been forgotten that within this stream there are schools and forms of thought that have enriched the fundamentals of psychoanalysis, based on Freud’s words and ideas.
“Only the person who has faith in himself can have faith in others. -Erich Fromm-
Was it in the 1940s that this social psychologist, of Judeo-German origin, decided to break with the psychoanalytic doctrine with which he worked?Institute of Social Research of the University of Frankfurt?and completely renewing theory and practice, addressing a much more cultural and human approach. For example, he reformulated the idea of developing libido, replacing it with a more realistic idea. A new conception in which the processes of assimilation and socialization of the individual are raised and articulated.
Similarly, it could be said without error that Fromm was first and foremost a fascinating thinker, a philosopher and one of the best representatives of humanism in the twentieth century. His 3 most important books: “Fear of Freedom”, “The Art of Love?”and “the heart of man” brought us a universe of thoughts, reflections and theories in which psychology goes hand in hand with anthropology and history, and where, in turn, the legacy of Sigmund Freud and Karen Horney was still very present.
To understand Erich Fromm’s theory of humanist psychoanalysis it is necessary to know this person, to understand his roots, his context and this world derived from him that constituted his most immediate reality. In this way, we will be able to understand what served as a guide and inspiration for your theories.
When someone reads your autobiography, “My encounter with Marx and Freud?”And if he stops mainly in his childhood and adolescence, he immediately realizes that these were not happy stages of Erich’s life. chronic depression and was also raised in a very strict environment, according to Judeo-Orthodox standards. He says at the time he lived moments that marked him.
“Nationalism is our form of incest, it is our idolatry, it is our madness. Is patriotism your sect?-Erich Fromm-
The first was the suicide of a 25-year-old girl who was passionate about him as a child, was a painter and was very close to the only family she had: her father, who died suddenly and a few days later the young artist decided to commit suicide. Her suicide prompted Fromm to ask: why? What drives people to go to such extremes?
The second fact that marked it was the beginning of World War I. Then came the shadow of nationalism, the radicalization of the masses, the hateful messages and the eternal difference between “us” and “them”, between my identity and yours, your religion and mine, my worldview and yours?is it not acceptable? Worldview.
The world was fragmented and these fissures not only opened up insurmountable distances between the various world powers, but also began a period of systemic crisis in society as a whole. Should we reformulate all the psychological, philosophical and social theories raised so far in search of answers?and explanations for such chaos?
Reading Erich Fromm’s work is almost essential to understanding this period of crisis of social values, principles and policies that began in the first half of the twentieth century, during which the two world wars compromised, so to speak, our faith in humanity. .
However, reading Fromm is exactly coming to an agreement with humanity itself. Why does it tell us about hope and, above all, it gives us great resources from the human sciences and psychoanalysis itself to initiate a positive and creative transformation?
Now we will look at the basic principles of his theory
Erich Fromm accepted most of the concepts developed by Sigmund Freud: the unconscious, the return, the mechanisms of defense, the transfer, the concept of sleep as an expression of the unconscious and, of course, the relevance of childhood as a source of many psychological disorders.
Fromm’s theories are not only influenced by Freud and Karen Horner, to talk about Fromm is also to talk about Marx, if we remember once again the social context of the time, the crisis of values, the content gaps when it comes to giving answers about why humans. behavior, why wars, nationalisms, hatred, class differences?
Taking on Freud’s inherited biomechanical perspective, as we know, was meaningless and unnecessary, so the principles advocated by Marx fit much better with the premises sought by Fromm. For Marx, people were not only determined by society, they were determined mainly by their economic systems.
Thus, in many of Fromm’s texts, we can still recognize ourselves today in their lines and in these messages that leave no one indifferent.
“Our consumer and market economy is based on the idea that happiness can be bought. But look, because if you don’t have to pay money, you’ll lose the chance to be happy. Therefore, we must remember that only what comes from our own effort, from within, is not only the “cheapest”, but also what can make us happier.
However, one interesting thing about Fromm’s theory is that even though human beings are influenced by their culture and economic systems, there is one goal we must always fight for and that we can achieve: freedom. go beyond freud and Marx’s determinisms to develop something that is inherent in human nature itself: our freedom.
People, Fromm argues, are determined by certain biological principles, like other animals: we are born with a body, mature, age and fight for our survival, however, beyond this limit, anything is possible. If we can move from traditional societies from the Middle Ages to today’s society, then we cannot give up on this process in search of more freedoms, more rights and greater well-being.
Freedom is a complex thing to achieve, but achieving it requires cultivating individual responsibility and social respect. Otherwise, if we do not fight or escape our own freedom, we run the risk that some of these scenarios will appear in our societies, which we undoubtedly know:
These three ideas were developed in an irreplaceable book, which is worth rereading from time to time: “Fear of Freedom”.
What certainly draws attention to Erich Fromm’s trajectory is that, unlike the more conventional psychoanalysts we know, he did not start in the medical or psychiatric field, he was not, in fact, a physician, his basis of work was sociology, so sometimes he was not very well accepted or well regarded. His relationship with Karen Horney was quite complex and many psychologists have always considered him a field theorist rather than an Orthodox psychologist.
“Love is the only sensible and satisfying response to the problem of human existence. -Erich Fromm-
Here, however, lies Fromm’s true greatness: his broader and more complete vision of the human being, where not everything corresponds to an organic pathology, to the forces of biology, but to culture, to the family and, in essence, to society. himself that often leaves us surrounded and blocked by the very expression of being.
Below we will look at the basics of his theory on humanist psychoanalysis.
Here are some of the key keys to understanding Fromm’s psychology
In conclusion, Fromm’s legacy represents a great leap not only in the field of psychology, but also in philosophy. Thus, although for many of his theories they have sometimes sinned of “utopia”, the truth is that he has modeled a kind of more real “utopia”. , in which to develop the best of each one. An insignificant approach by a thinker who, as we have already said, deserves to be remembered and read in depth. Let this article be an invitation.
References:
Fromm, E. (1983) The pathology of normality. Barcelona. Editorial Paidós Ibérica. Fromm, E. (1989) Del Tener al Ser, Barcelona. Editorial Paidós. Fromm, E. , Maccoby, Michael (1979) Socio-psychoanalysis of the Mexican peasant. Economic culture fund. Fromm, E. (1986) Ethics and psychoanalysis. Mexico Economic Culture Fund. Fromm E. (1977) The Heart of Man. Power enough for good and evil. Mexico Context of economic culture. Fromm et all (1974) Socialist Humanism. Buenos Aires. Editorial Paidós. Fromm E. , Humanism as a global philosophy of man. In: FROMM, Erich: On disobedience. Barcelona. Morín, E. , La Cabeza well laid. Basis of educational reform. Rething reform. Reconsider the thought. Buenos Aires. Editorial New vision