Refine
Document Type
- Articles (15)
- Event Reports (2)
- Books (1)
- Dissertations (1)
>Femininity and Biophilia: The Role of the Feminine in Frommian Socialpsychology<: In view of the crisis-proneness that is such a feature of today’s relations between the sexes and, also, the break-up of traditional family structures, the >gender question< is a particularly urgent one. Fromm’s various contributions to this topic are gathered together in Liebe, Sexualität und Matriarchat [= Love, Sexuality and Matriarchy], which was published early in 1994. Fromm attributed to the productive dissolution of primary bonds – the maternal and paternal bonds – a leading role in productive characterological development. The nature and mode of male-female relations in later life is heavily dependent on this occurring. Male-female transactions, as Fromm sees them, are specified by the matriarchal and patriarchal social structures as well as the dominant social-characterological orientations. Ever since the origins of patriarchy, ostensively biology-rooted gender differences – which Fromm saw as being essentially social in nature – have been misused in the interests of shoring up male rule. The current crisis our system finds itself in at all levels is an expression of the crisis of patriarchy, which has always kept down female identity and strength – nor have the great religions been spared its influence either. For in Christianity too, especially in the Protestant variant, specifically feminine values were always denied an outlet. By taking a hard look at Bachofen and his analysis of matriarchal cultures, at Freud and his deep roots in the patriarchal order, at the Old Testament and the Babylonian myths of creation – with their images of gods and goddesses – Fromm brings out the social constraints at work in forming male and female identity. Only when contemporary society succeeds in divesting itself of its lack of female identity models, of matriarchal values, can a conciliatory integration of male and female principles take place – only then can biophilia and the productive character be helped into life.
Erich FROMM's scientific method developed from an attempt to integrate Marxism and psychoanalysis. This approach evolved from the postulate that the human being, defined by the complex interaction of its biological, psychological, anthropological, and philosophical essences, is the center of society and scientific endeavor. Thus, the crisis of being could be resolved by social science with the help of psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis deals with the constant parameters of human nature, while science formulates the best characteristics of the optimal human community. In formulating them, it is guided by anthropocentric, humanistic ethics, where man is the measure of all things. FROMM believes that, with some modifications, Sigmund Freud's theories could be of help in discovering the essence of human beings. With his theory of social transformation, on the other hand, Karl Marx offered a way to integrate human essence with existence. FROMM's specific contribution was to supply a credible theory of human nature, which Marx and social science have neglected.
Erich FROMMs 1956 verfasstes Buch >Die Kunst des Liebens< und der Erfolg dieses Werkes werden einer kritischen Betrachtung unterzogen. Seine Liebesmoral wird als Auftrag zur Verwirklichung folgender Werte zusammengefasst und interpretiert: (1) Besonnenheit, (2) Einfältigkeit und Ausschließlichkeit, (3) Fürsorglichkeit und Bewertbarkeit, (4) Erkenntnis und gleichzeitig keine Erkenntnis, (5) Gleichheit, die keine ist, (6) Zärtlichkeit und (7) >Selbstliebe,< die identisch ist mit >Gottesliebe<. Es wird der Verdacht geäußert, daß FROMM eines Bestsellers wegen seine wahre Meinung zurückgehalten und simplifizierende Klischees benutzt habe. Das Buch wird als Konglomerat unnützer Pacebos bewertet. (Peter Gerull – ZPID) – Critically reviews Erich FROMM's book >The Art of Loving< and its success. The morals of love expressed in FROMM's book are summarized and interpreted in terms of a mandate to realize the following values: (1) considerateness, (2) simplicity and exclusiveness, (3) caring and evaluation, (4) awareness and at the same time lack of awareness, (5) equality which is not equality, (6) tenderness, and (7) self-love, which is identical with >love of God<. It is suspected that in order to produce a bestseller FROMM did not express his real views, but rather used simplifying cliches. The book is regarded as a conglomerate of useless placebos.
El grupo de trabajo investigacion del caracter social del la sociedad international Erich Fromm
(1993)
Einleitung
(1995)