The Anatomy of Human DestructivenessHolt, Rinehart and Winston, 1973 - 521 pages How can we explain man's lust for cruelty? In a world in which violence seems to be increasing, social philosopher Erich Fromm has treated this haunting question with depth and scope in the most original and far-reaching work of his brilliant career. Fromm goes beyond the controversy between instinctivists like Lorenz, who argue that man's destructiveness has been inherited from his animal ancestors, and behaviorists like Skinner, who maintain that there are no innate human traits since everything is the result of social conditioning. Conceding that there is a kind of aggression which man shares with animals, Fromm shows that it is defensive in nature, designed to insure survival. On the other hand, malignant aggression, or destructiveness, in which man kills without biological or social purpose, is peculiarly human and not instinctive; it is one of the passions, like ambition or greed. Drawing on findings of neurophysiology, prehistory, anthropology, and animal psychology, Fromm presents a global and historical study of human destructiveness that enables readers to evaluate the data for themselves. Although deeply indebted to Freud, Fromm emphasizes social and cultural factors as well. Destructiveness is seen in terms of the dreams and associations of many patients, and of historical figures such as Stalin--an extreme example of sadism; Himmler--an example of the bureaucratic-sadistic character; and Hitler.--From publisher description. |
Table des matières
Instincts and Human Passions | 1 |
The Instinctivists | 13 |
Environmentalists and Behaviorists 3333 | 33 |
Droits d'auteur | |
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Expressions et termes fréquents
Alois Hitler anal analysis animal B. F. Skinner B. F. Smith become behavior believe biological boredom brain Çatal Hüyük character character structure child chimpanzees civilization concept cruelty culture death instinct defensive aggression destroy destructiveness discussion dream Eros Eva Braun excitation existence experience expression fact factors father feeling fighting Freud Fromm function Geli Raubal German hate Himmler Hitler human hunters hypothesis impulses individual innate intense interest Italics added killing kind Kubizek lack later leaders libido living substance Lorenz male man's manifestation Maser Mein Kampf mother motivated narcissism narcissistic nature necrophilia necrophilous Nirvana organic passion person phantasy pleasure principle political primitive prisoners problem psychic Psychoanalysis psychological question Quoted reaction reality reason repression role sadistic seems sense sexual instinct social society specific Speer stimulation tendency theoretical theory threat tion traits York
Références à ce livre
Positive Social Behavior and Morality: Social and personal ..., Volumes 1 à 2 Ervin Staub Affichage d'extraits - 1978 |
Transformations: Immigration, Family Life, and Achievement Motivation Among ... Carola Suárez-Orozco,Marcelo M. Suárez-Orozco Aucun aperçu disponible - 1995 |