To Have or to Be?

Fülszöveg

'As always, Erich Fromm speaks with wisdom, compassion, learning and insight into the problems of individuals trapped in a social world that is needlessly cruel and hostile' NOAM CHOMSKY In this brilliant and urgent book, the author of FEAR OF FREEDOM and THE ART OF LOVING argues that in the present period of crisis,two ways of existence are struggling for the spirit of humankind. First - and dominant in modern industrial society, whether capitalist or communist - there is what he calls the 'having' mode, which concentrates on material possessions and power and is based on greed, envy and aggressiveness. The second - and alternative- way is of what he calls the 'being' mode, which manifests itself in the pleasure of shared experience and truly productive rather than wasteful activity, and is rooted in love and the ascendancy of humán over material values. Dr Fromm sees the 'having' mode as bringing the world to the brink of ecological and psychological dis&ster, and envisages a new emphasis on 'being' as the only course if humanity is to avoid catastrophe. TO HAVE OR TO BE? is both a comprehensive analysis of the crisis of modern civilisation and a uniquely detailed programme for a social and psychological revolution to save our threatened planet. 'A rich source and expression of radical humanism, finally applied to the problem of how humán disaster can be averted ... crucially interesting' Bob Tait THE SCOTSMAN The analysis ... is provocative, striking and at all times worthy of consideration' Anthony Clare NEW SOCIETY Vissza