To Have or to Be? by Erich Fromm (pre-read)

Erich Fromm's "To Have or to Be" delves into humanity's fundamental choices: between the possession of objects and genuine self-fulfillment. He explores how a society driven by a consumerist ethos leads to existential emptiness, advocating for a shift towards a mode of being that prioritizes authentic experiences, relationships, and personal growth over mere acquisition and status.

Erich Fromm, a German-American psychologist, critical theorist, and philosopher, was born in 1900. His influential works explored human nature, society, and existential concerns, blending humanistic psychoanalysis and social theory. Notable for Escape from Freedom and The Art of Loving, Fromm emphasized the importance of authentic living and meaningful connections. He died in 1980.

The PDF of the book can be found here.

Please read in advance: The Introduction (pp. 1-13), the section "Having and Consuming" in chapter I, the section on "Master Eckhart (1260-c. 1327)" in chapter III, the section "Is the Western World Christian?" from chapter VII, and the section "The New Society: Is There a Reasonable Chance?" from chapter IX.

Optionally, you can also watch an interview on the book.

Other discussions:

• Friedrich Nietzsche’s "Human, All Too Human" on Thursday, May 23