Wednesday Wisdom

Who

Erich Fromm, was a prominent German social psychologist, psychoanalyst, and humanistic philosopher who explored various aspects of human behavior and social issues, including narcissism. Fromm's understanding of narcissistic disorder is part of his broader critique of modern society and the psychological impacts of its effect on individuals.

Erich Fromm was born on March 23, 1900, in Frankfurt, Germany, into a Jewish Orthodox family. Fromm’s early intellectual influences were shaped by both Jewish mysticism and the Talmudic tradition, but he eventually became interested in secular, philosophical, and psychological ideas. Fromm studied sociology at the University of Frankfurt and later attended the University of Heidelberg, where he completed his Ph.D. in sociology under the guidance of Alfred Weber in 1922. He then trained as a psychoanalyst, studying at the Berlin Psychoanalytic Institute and working under the mentorship of Karl Abraham and other early Freudian analysts. Fromm's work blends psychoanalysis with Marxist* and Existentialist** philosophy, making him one of the key intellectual figures of the 20th century.

Growing up in Post World War 1 in what is known as the Weimar Republic, Fromm witnessed economic hardships of hyperinflation and then the rise of authoritative Nazi regime. These experiences had a long-lasting influence on his writing and thinking. As a Jewish intellectual, Fromm escaped Germany in 1934, moving to Switzerland and finally immigrating to New York.

What he produced

Fromm was a prolific writer, authoring over 20 books and also many essays over his life. His writings reflect a humanistic perspective as he explores both as a psychologist and philosopher the themes of freedom, love, alienation, and the human condition. Fromm believed in the importance of human values over material gain, advocating for a society that prioritizes human well-being, ethics, and compassion.

The Art of Loving, published in 1956, became a bestseller and remains one of his most popular works. This book resonated widely with readers for its accessible exploration of love as an active, cultivated skill rather than a passive emotion. In what might be one of the first modern “self-help’ books, Fromm describes love as an art requiring knowledge, discipline, and practice, applying psychological and philosophical insights to personal relationships.

However, his experience through two world wars led him also to explore the darker side of humanity. 1941 book, Escape from Freedom (also known as The Fear of Freedom), analyzes the psychological appeal of authoritarianism and explains why people may willingly surrender their freedoms to gain a sense of security and belonging. He observed firsthand how a society could turn to authoritarianism, nationalism, and antisemitism in times of crisis. Fromm’s experiences in Germany during this period shaped his understanding of how fear, alienation, and economic hardship could drive people toward authoritarian leaders.

To explain authoritative figures who seek unbridled power, Fromm expanded on famous psychanalyst Sigmund Freud’s concept of narcissism in his book "The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness" (1973). In his book Fromm describes how and why citizens has a willingness to give up personal liberties for narcissistic authoritative leaders. In this book, Fromm describes narcissism as a deeply destructive force in individuals and societies. Narcissism is a personality trait or disorder characterized by an excessive focus on oneself, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy toward others. He linked narcissism to authoritarianism, aggression, and destructiveness, warning about its social and political implications, particularly in leaders and ideologies.

From sought to explain levels of narcissism into categories and extremes. In benign narcissism, Fromm saw a certain degree of self-love or self-esteem as natural and healthy. This kind of narcissism involves an appreciation of one's identity and achievements, which is necessary for psychological well-being and self-confidence. In this sense, benign narcissism contributes to personal and social stability. Malignant narcissism, according to Fromm, is a more extreme, self-centered preoccupation that becomes destructive. This form of narcissism is characterized by excessive self-love, a lack of empathy, and a tendency to exploit others. Fromm argued that malignant narcissists see others only as extensions of themselves or as objects to be manipulated for personal gain. In severe cases, malignant narcissism can lead to feelings of grandiosity and a detachment from reality.

2024- How we got here

Mankind has fought for freedom over the course of history, so why is also true over time that we are willing to give up certain freedoms. Eric Fromm asks this question and tries to answer it in his Escape from freedom.

The “Reformation” in Europe brought about the rise of Protestant religion of Luther and Calvin. The religions also brought about the pre-existentialist philosophical ideas of full sacrifice and predestination in the hands of God. These ideals were a trade off as capitalism supplanted the feudal system in Europe. By submitting to God and realizing your fate was predestined, one could silence their doubt, promote your emotional well-being by being part of a bigger thing that was in control of one’s fate. Fromm explores the tension between individual freedom and social belonging, a theme central to existentialism. He discusses how individuals may feel anxiety and alienation when faced with the burden of freedom.

Fromm also believed that narcissism is not just an individual trait but also a reflection of societal and cultural conditions. He argued that modern capitalist societies, with their emphasis on competition, success, and material wealth, foster narcissistic tendencies by encouraging individuals to focus excessively on themselves and their achievements. He argues that that with the freedom provided from capitalism, it can promote alienation and isolation from communities which ultimately encourages conformity towards destructive group behavior.

This societal narcissism can manifest in nationalism, authoritarianism, and destructive groups, as it easier for individuals to just go along and give up individual freedoms for some aspect of certainty and conformity. Fromm argued that these narcissistic leaders exploit and attract followers by appealing to collective narcissistic sentiments, such as national pride or ethnic superiority. This dynamic can lead to destructive outcomes, as seen in totalitarian regimes that Fromm studied closely in the context of Nazi Germany, Italy under Mussolini and other authoritarian states throughout history.

Fromm suggests that true freedom requires not only liberation from external pressures but also the development of responsibility, not only to self but to community. As he wrote “Only by developing the whole personality, only by becoming one’s true self, can freedom be achieved.”

Responsibility and civic duties can be hard work and take motivation but as Ben Franklin is quoted, “we have a Republic, only if we can keep it.”

And now you know...

*Marxism is a social, political, and economic theory developed by Karl Marx that argues that human societies progress through class struggle, primarily between the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) and the proletariat (working class). Marxism advocates for the overthrow of capitalist systems and the establishment of a classless, stateless society where the means of production are collectively owned, ultimately leading to communism.

**Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual freedom, choice, and responsibility in a world without inherent meaning. It argues that humans must create their own purpose through authentic choices, confronting the anxiety of freedom and the inevitability of death.

Thank you, Dad, for the gift of curiosity

Philosophy is the art of thinking, the building block of progress that shapes critical thinking across economics, ethics, religion, and science.

METAPHYSICS: Literally, the term metaphysics means ‘beyond the physical.’ Typically, this is the branch that most people think of when they picture philosophy. In metaphysics, the goal is to answer the what and how questions in life. Who are we, and what are time and space?

LOGIC: The study of reasoning. Much like metaphysics, understanding logic helps to understand and appreciate how we perceive the rest of our world. More than that, it provides a foundation for which to build and interpret arguments and analyses.

ETHICS: The study of morality, right and wrong, good and evil. Ethics tackles difficult conversations by adding weight to actions and decisions. Politics takes ethics to a larger scale, applying it to a group (or groups) of people. Political philosophers study political governments, laws, justice, authority, rights, liberty, ethics, and much more.

AESTHETICS: What is beautiful? Philosophers try to understand, qualify, and quantify what makes art what it is. Aesthetics also takes a deeper look at the artwork itself, trying to understand the meaning behind it, both art as a whole and art on an individual level. A question an aesthetics philosopher would seek to address is whether or not beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.

EPISTEMOLOGY: This is the study and understanding of knowledge. The main question is how do we know? We can question the limitations of logic, how comprehension works, and the ability (or perception) to be certain.