Erich Fromm, The Sane Society

Daniel Burston (Duquesne University)
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Freud’s studies on “the pathology of civilized communities” stress the idea that civilization invariably breeds inner and interpersonal conflict by compelling us to renounce instinctual satisfactions that are incompatible with social harmony (Freud, Civilization and Its Discontents, 1930). In contrast to this, and similar to Martin Buber, Fromm vigorously disputes Freud’s belief that instinct and culture, or the interests of the individual and of society at large, are necessarily at odds with one another (Buber, Between Man and Man, 2002). As a result, Fromm’s social psychology focuses less on the prevalence and roots of neurotic conflict. Instead, it emphasizes statistically normal character traits that enhance rather than hinder the average person’s adaptation to society…

1219 words

Citation: Burston, Daniel. "The Sane Society". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 30 November 2005 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=16626, accessed 28 March 2024.]

16626 The Sane Society 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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