Erich Fromm

1900–1980, Germany / USA

PsychoanalysisSocial psychology

German-American psychoanalyst and social philosopher. Explored the intersection of psychoanalysis, sociology, and humanistic philosophy.

Books

  • The Art of Loving (1956)

    Fromm analyzes love as an active practice requiring knowledge, effort, and discipline, in contrast to the passive notion of "falling in love."

  • Escape from Freedom (1941)

    Fromm explores why people give up individual freedom in favor of authoritarianism and conformism.

  • To Have or to Be? (1976)

    Fromm distinguishes two modes of existence — having and being — and argues that consumer society fosters an alienated mode of existence.