Erich Fromm And The Humanistic Psychoanalysis

Erich Fromm thought that the main goal of all people’s lives should be stronger, freer, nobler – in other words, the person we are meant to be. This represents Fromm’s humanistic perspective, which was once quite revolutionary in the field of psychology.

Some interpret psychoanalysis as a rigid and specific entity made up of clearly defined concepts, dynamics, and approaches that Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis,   once proposed. However, they forget that over time, other kinds of ideas have emerged in the field of psychoanalysis that differ from Freud’s ideas and words.

Erich Fromm was one of them. In the 1940s, this Jewish-German social psychologist decided to abandon the psychoanalytic doctrine of the Frankfurt Institute for Social Research and to completely reform the theory and practice of psychoanalysis. This led to more cultural, humanistic approaches. Fromm, for example, made Freud’s idea of ​​libido much more practical, which included a new conception of assimilation and socialization.

Above all, Fromm was a fascinating philosopher and one of the best representatives of 20th century humanism. His three most important book ( Hazardous freedom ,  of love difficult skill  , and  good and evil)  left behind the ideas, thoughts and theories, which are put together with psychology, anthropology, and history, as well as continued Sigmund Freud, and Karen Horney heritage.

Erich Fromm and the systematic crises of Western society

To understand Erich Fromm’s theory of humanistic psychoanalysis, we need to know him as a human being, understand his roots, the context in which he grew up, and give up the world that formed his immediate reality. This greatly illuminates things that serve as guidance and inspiration for Fromm’s theories.

Reading Fromm’s autobiography, it’s easy to see how childhood and adolescence weren’t the most glamorous time for a man. His father was an aggressive businessman, his mother suffered from chronic depression, and Fromm himself was raised below the strict norms of Orthodox Judaism. During that time, he experienced two significant moments.

The first was the suicide of a 25-year-old woman who was important to Fromm. The woman was a painter and very close to Fromm’s father. The father died unexpectedly and a few days later the young artist took his life. This made Fromm wonder what made people sink to such extremes.

Another turning point was the outbreak of World War I, when the shadow of nationalism, the radicalization of the masses, and hostile messages and “we against them” setups entered Fromm’s life.

The world began to break. The cracks not only created insurmountable distances between different forces, but also ushered in a period of systematic crises in Western society. Everything psychological, philosophical, and social now had to be reformulated so that answers and explanations could be found in the midst of enormous chaos.

Understanding and hope for people

It is almost necessary to read Fromm’s work to understand the values, principles, and social policies of the crises that exploded in the hands of the first half of the 20th century, when two world wars undermined people’s faith in humanity.

Reading the fromm is a way to reconcile yourself with your own humanity. Fromm talks about hope and, most importantly, provides incredible resources in the social sciences and psychoanalysis that can help create positive and creative change.

Let us now consider the basic principles of Fromm’s theory.

From biological-mechanical to biological-social view of man

Erich Fromm accepted most of Freud’s concepts, including ignorance, repression, defense mechanisms, emotional transfers, the idea of ​​dreams as an expression of ignorance, and the idea of ​​childhood as the origin of many psychological disorders.

However, Fromm did not see man as a biologo-mechanical entity that responds with impulses exclusively to aggression, survival, and reproduction.

• Erich Fromm refers to man as a biological-social entity in which man not only reacts to or defends impulses and instincts. There is a need to broaden the perspective and recognize the existence of a social perspective, as well as how harmful and traumatic processes play a role in a child’s growth.

• Personal relationships served as the backbone of Fromm’s theory, which completely replaced Freud’s classical libido theory as a motivational and mechanical drive driving man.

People and freedom

Fromm’s theories were not only influenced by Freud and Karen Horney. When we talk about Erich Fromm, we talk about Karl Marx. Let me remind you of the social context of time; values ​​of crises, incomplete explanations of human behavior, war, nationalism, hatred, class differences…

Freud’s biological-mechanical perspective was absurd and useless, and the principles defended by Marx were rather rectified in Fromm’s treatment. According to Marx, people not only affect society but also their ecosystem.

So even today we can identify ourselves with Fromm’s words and messages.

One really interesting part of Fromm’s theory is that while the effects of cultures and economic systems are visible to people, we must always fight and be able to achieve one goal: freedom. In reality, Fromm encouraged people to move past the strict determinism of Freud and Marx to develop their own personal freedom, which is inherent in people themselves.

Fromm believed that humans define certain biological principles just like all other animals. We are born into the body, we mature, we age and we fight for our survival. However, we are still able to do much better than these limits suggest. For example, if we can move from traditional medieval societies to modern society, we cannot stop looking for freedom, justice and prosperity.

Freedom is difficult to achieve, but the individual responsibility for achieving it and social respect is a civilization. Otherwise the risk is:

• Authoritarianism.
• Destruction (which includes aggression, violence and suicide).
• A blind adaptation in which people develop into “social chameleons” and accept the colors of their surroundings without protesting or questioning.

Fromm addressed these three ideas in his book  Dangerous Freedom .

Basic principles of humanistic psychoanalysis

Unlike classical psychoanalysts, Erich Fromm did not pursue a career in medicine or psychiatry. He based his work on sociology instead of medicine and therefore did not always receive the recognition he deserved. His relationship with Karen Horney was quite complex and many psychologists viewed him as a theorist rather than a purely psychologist.

However, it sees Fromm’s true greatness: in his broader and more integrative view of man. In Fromm’s view, not everything is an answer to organic pathology or the forces of biology. He believed that culture, family, and society place limits on our expression.

Below, we take a closer look at the basic principles of Fromm’s humanistic psychoanalysis.

The keys to Erich Fromm’s psychological approach

• Fromm’s humanistic perspective contributed to a renewed approach to the concept of disease. According to him, a psychoanalyst is obliged to modify not only the definition of the disease but also the tools used to treat it.
• The goal of a professional is to make it easier for the patient to find themselves or to promote personal development to achieve happiness.
• This can only be achieved by strengthening the individual’s sense of responsibility and love for himself.
• When treating a patient, it does not make sense to focus solely on pathological features, symptoms of the disease, or negative parts of the condition. By recognizing the positive properties, therapeutic techniques improve.

• The psychoanalyst should not expect the patient to just change. He must also help his patient develop strategies so that they can adapt to society, feel stronger, and understand that the “pathological” aspects of society are also often seen as valid.
• Psychoanalysis should be receptive to scientific developments and societal changes. It needs to understand the cultural, economic and political conditions to help the patient. It is a mistake to work from a reductionist perspective.
• The expert should use clear, transparent and comprehensible vocabulary. Moreover, he should not seek to assume a position of power or supremacy.

Fromm’s legacy made it possible to take a huge step forward in both the fields of psychology and philosophy. Although many thought Fromm’s theories to be somewhat utopian, he introduced a more realistic form of psychoanalysis that sought the best of every human being. Erich Fromm was a prominent scholar who deserves to be remembered and read in depth. Let this article be your first step into the world of Erich Fromm.

Sources

Fromm, E. (1947)  Man for himself, an inquiry into the Psychology of ethics. Rinehart.
Fromm, E. (1965)  Socialist humanism: an international symposium. Doubleday.
Fromm, E. (1971)  The Heart of Man, its Genius for good and Evil. Perennial Library.
Fromm, E. (1976)  To Have or to Be . Harper & Row.
Fromm, E. (1984). On Disobedience and other Essays.  Routledge & Kegan Paul.
Fromm, E. (2010)  The Pathology of Normalcy.  American Mental Health Foundation Books.
Fromm, E. & Maccoby, M. (1970)  Social character in a Mexican village; a sociopsychoanalytic study. Transaction Publishers.
Morin, E. (1999)  La Tête bien faite.