The essay written by Fromm describes a cloud among the working man's idea of ,what it means to be an individual. Although longer than average, I believe portraying these three main ideas are to be considered.
First, he believes the history of Wars such as: The German-French, World Wars One and Two, are a deterioration of man's perceptions in society. The European countries attacked one another blindly for the claim over territories and the value of man's life was used for political gain.
His second idea is that of the industrial suppression via obedience. Having a job to secure priorities of desire and responsibility deflates the balloon of individuality. Fromm inquires there is lack of individuality within jobs and income, matrimony, public opinion, and the expression of feelings.
The last importance portrayed is that pertaining to the ability of man to choose for himself. To emerge, not by persuasion or conformity. To be among ourselves as neighbors who believe in progress and not destruction. One phrase to consider would be:" The West employs its new technical powers for the sake of man, rather than using man for the sake of things." What do you think he means by this? Is it relevant to the society of present day?
In this short summary we have analyzed and thought of Fromm's reasoning. Besides the simplicity of,"You learn something new everyday," I hope this essay has been a reflection on you the way it reflected on me.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Im a little confused by the very first part of the summary, although that might be because I'm doing this at the library and there is a screaming baby right beside me and I can't really focus. The whole time that I was reading the essay i was thinking of the title and what Fromm was thinking about when he titled it "The Individual in The Chains of Illusion". Cindy and Gabe, for your first point you summarized what he said about the World Wars and how it affected the lives of thousands, all based on a lie for political gain. When I read that part I made a connection between that and the title. The soldiers in either party thought that they were fighting for the right reason. Those Individuals were in the chains of illusion because they were fighting under false premises.
ReplyDeleteI believe you got your second point when he jumps from the war onto the industrial revolution. The industrial revolution turned human beings into production machines, if this "human machine" broke down they simply replaced it with another one. In this sense the individual is also under the chains of illusion.
All of these things have something in common according to Fromm, they're accomplices to the deterioration of Western civilization and are hierarchical. And if there is hierarchy, we are "Individuals in the chains of illusions" because we are being obedient to some form of power.
Regarding you question I think Fromm is saying that new developments are being made to make life easier for man rather than man being used to make life easier for the world. Instead of wasting thousands of dollars on luxury we could be spending that money on aid for third world countries.
I believe that in order for humans to evolve, man has to be disobedient to political power and doubt political motives. Only then can new change for the better causes on mankind be achieved. The illusion starts from Governments which dictate how society functions. Government is in control of everything. I think that the only way for man to have true lively hood is through peace. I'm sure Fromm meant that for man to emerge, man must use his intellegince for the sake of peace, harmony, and thriving. Not just using man as Ponds for political gain where life can be loss.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I got to read this essay. My mother always said "the world is gonna end soon, there is just too much evil out there." and I have always believed her. Like Fromm metioned Saltin and Hitler, they are just two evil people who commanded those to do evil things and they obeyed. Sometimes we need not obey. Man kind will self destruct and the world will end if we always listen to what someone else says. Will we ever find peace on earth?
ReplyDeleteI believe that when Fromm says that '...a new West employs its new technical powers for the sake of man, rather than using man for the sake of things.' he is saying that they should apply their power on behalf of man instead of using or deceiving man to benefit themselves. We as a society need to evolve and learn from the past.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts about Fromm's essay really made me think,on how a individual can view themselves,and veiw others.Since the beginning of time,we were all taught to be obedient to those who has rule over us.Fromm points out,that being obedient to World War Learders has had a devastating impact on the world.Fromm stated,"Yet one must remember that the capacity for disobedience is as great a virtue as the capacity for obedience." Now thats a powerfull statement.What if a soldier changed his mind,from pressing that deadly button back then,and listened to his heart.Keeping in mind about all the innocent Women and Children involved that will be killed.Fromm,also believed that folks carry two personalities,either they were necrophilia(love of death),or Biophilia(love of life).If you think about it,which one are you? My own personal thoughts are,that we as individuals should think outside the box.We should all follow our better judgement,for the future of mankind.
ReplyDeleteErich had some very good points on certain nations like russia and the united states evolving into nations that are barbaric and losing the ability to doubt. He explained that the united states and russia evolved into this way based on the industrial revolution for both countries. For example russia became indiscriminate and to attain certain politcal goals and the united states lost the ability to doubt because these countries wanted to produce and consume. One thing that i noticed while reading is his repetetion of One world. He wants his readers to get the message that man needs a new outlook instead of narrow ans man see's man as a barbarian but rather as a neighbor and all men has the feeling of home in the world. I due agree that we need to get along and use better advances of technology for the use of man rather than agaisnt man.
ReplyDeletewhile reading the essay i got the feeling that Fromm wanted us to disobediant, but not in a way of saying "NO!" all the time. Instead of just saying yes, i believe he would like us to say "wait." and "why?" Still being disobediant, but not being stubborn. And the whole "ONE WORLD" thing... wow becareful of that.
ReplyDeleteEric Stromm was a deep thinker and contributed alot to sociology field. Raising awareness of ones selfness and our abilities of reason and ability to love life. He feared mans obsession with wealth and taking orders blindly, becoming a turn key or button pushe. Inhuman to the plight of others or those they harmed only blindly following orders.
ReplyDeleteWe see that everyday and its hard to believe, but a lawyer will save a murderer a life sentence in jail for a few thousand dollars. Fromm said it best when he referred to Adam and Eves disobediance, you have to break the shackles to become an individual, in my own words.
Fromm wants us to see how we are destroying ourselves by not caring about the actions we make and learn from our mistakes. He does make a great point in his essay and for those who are wise if we listen to him and see his point of view then we could all make a difference not only for ourselves but for this world as well.
ReplyDeleteSasD
ReplyDeleteMan killing man to win the territories and personal goals and on the other side man are maximizing production and consumption and forgetting about better life. Fromm also pointed out when Hitler was in power, people exercised hatred and cruelty. Innocent people are always in danger in between the greediness and cruelty. While comparing production and consumption, people always thought for higher production and consumption but always forget to enjoy better life.
oui
ReplyDelete