The Art of Being (Library Edition) Audio CD – Unabridged, April 15, 2006

Prior to the age of 23 I had essentially no self-awareness to speak of. When I finally acquired self-awareness shortly after graduating from college, I was obsessed with the conviction that people’s lack of self-awareness was mankind’s greatest problem, and that people who have very limited capacity for introspection also have very limited capacity for free will. At about that same time, I discovered the works of Erich Fromm. Fromm’s prominent theme was developing a guide to productive self-awareness. One step in this direction is orientation towards being instead of having. Fromm writes: “The full humanization of man requires the breakthrough from the possession-centered to the activity-centered orientation, from selfishness and egotism to solidarity and altruism.” Having just completed a study of the works of Ayn Rand, I was impressed at how superficially similar her ideas are to Fromm’s, in the sense of “man for himself” rather than for some abstract, authoritarian ideal, and yet they are actually opposite. Rand’s philosophy is mostly about having rather than being. Modern American society is mostly about having. Even our interpretation of altruism is about having rather than developing an orientation towards being.Philosophers and theologians agree that “happiness” is the aim of human striving. However, the definition of “happiness” is not as clear as it might seem. So to understand the aim of life, the nature of man must first be understood. According to Fromm, needs are rooted in man’s nature and are conducive to his growth and self-fulfillment, which means that happiness is not purely subjective, but rather objective. Therefore, much striving for happiness is delusional. Fromm attempts to discoverer this objective happiness.Fromm’s ideas are not going to be popular to anyone devoted to Rand-influenced capitalists. The reason rich men aren’t likely make it into heaven (in the purely metaphorical sense) isn’t that rich men are bad, but they are more likely to have a skewed orientation to life. Of course, anyone who disagrees with Fromm will simply object that Fromm’s “objective happiness” is no more than his “subjective happiness.” But don’t dismiss Fromm’s ideas without deep soul-searching.

I have read several books by the great psychologist Erich Fromm. Each book had a wealth of wisdom and insight and The Art of Being is no exception. Written in the 70's the content is timeless and still relevant...especially the last chapter which addresses certain narcissistic characteristics. Which are applicable to a certain public leader. Other reviews will go deeper into the content but the subject matter should not dissuade laypeople from reading his works. They are very accessible and is not weighed down by an abundance of psychological terminology. If one is reading on a tablet or a Kindle the definition is at one's fingertip and not be distract from the overall message. It is very hopeful and affirmative and not at all dour or pessimistic. It makes one face some hard obstacles in our culture and in our own characters but the underlying principle is that they can be overcome and make one wiser for subduing them. I cannot recommend this book or any other work by Erich Fromm highly enough. Give them a chance. One need not be a psychology major to "get them". It only requires a hungry and open mind. One needs not embrace every idea presented but just consider them as an alternative to the current belief.

Lots of unique and well presented thoughts and ideas. Some deep some remarkable simple, many requiring time to ponder and take in. This is my second read new discoveries were found old ones were renewed with deeper understanding. I look forward to reading it again. The book may not be for everyone but for me it is a keeper in my top ten.

Read his Art of Loving 60 years ago as a college sophomore. Ran across this while browsing Amazon. Wisdom aplenty.

I wanted to like this book but it didn't quite offer what I was hoping for. Too long a description of how to evaluate potential psychoanalysts, for instance, took up way to much space while the actual art of being seemed relegated to a few parenthetical end notes.

I found it very relevant and prophetic for the 21st century. I also found Fromm's treatment of democratic socialism interesting especially in light of our society's issues and conflicts of universal health care and the 1% buying elections, ect... The introduction of the book does a great job of breaking down Fromm's thesis of the two orientations of modern man; "to have" and "to be". This section is worth the effort of the book in itself. I recommend reading The Courage to Be by Paul Tillich for a deeper treatment of "being".

I love this book and listen to audio repeatedly and read it several times

There are lots of nice things that this book has to say. The discussion on money, the view of narcissism and how to be self aware is thought through. There are points however where I feel the author goes into spiritual views in regards to areas like meditation where he obviously has a bias towards. But that was a small section. For the most part it is a insightful read.

Would slot it more into existential philosophy than psychology, but a very poetic book in any case

Nice book,thanks for your service

We all have a lot to learn from the late Erich Fromm - a great book, timeless and full of wisdom and concern for human kind.

good

This book is literally Erich Fromm's "P.S." to his previously published works. These are the chapters that were not included in a few of his previously published works and were compiled posthumously after his death. While they are not overly theoretical as were his major writings, they do give insight into how to put psychoanalysis into action both individually and socially. While the writings are scant (a mere 120 pages) most are insightful and helpful to those who are on the journey of self awareness.