Erich Fromm. Humanistische Psychoanalyse und kritische Sozialpsychologie. Unpublished paper 2008.
(2009)
>Erich Fromm and the Critical Theory of Subject<: Fromm's contribution to the Critical Theory was long underestimated. Whereas the conception of an analytical social psychology and the studies on the authoritarian character type – both of which were developed during the 30s – invariably come in for mention in the more recent reception accorded the Frankfurt School, little attention has so far been paid to those writings by Fromm siding with the Critical Theory which appeared in the wake of >Escape from Freedom< (1941). A decisive factor here was the negative judgement passed by former colleagues upon Fromm's >revisionistic< position following the so- called >culturism debate<. The present essay highlights the extent to which Fromm was consistently concerned to develop a critical theory of subject. This not only implies a critical stance to the characterological structures prevalent in capitalist society but also a humanistic interpretation of the >true< way of life. The thesis is advanced that a critical theory of subject must not confine itself to a >negative< anthropology but rather develop ethical perspectives for both the individual and society.
Vorwort / Preface
(1992)