To Have or To Be? (Bloomsbury Revelations) by Erich Fromm | (PDF) Free Download

Description

To Have Or to Be? is one of the seminal books of the second half of the 20th century. Nothing less than a manifesto for a new social and psychological revolution to save our threatened planet, this book is a summary of the penetrating thought of Eric Fromm. His thesis is that two modes of existence struggle for the spirit of humankind: the having mode, which concentrates on material possessions, power, and aggression, and is the basis of the universal evils of greed, envy, and violence; and the being mode, which is based on love, the pleasure of sharing, and in productive activity. To Have Or to Be? is a brilliant program for socioeconomic change.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐Where to begin? This has to be one of my Top Ten favorite books. If you are unaware of who Erich Fromm was, do a quick Wikipedia search. It’s pertinent. This is not an overly-abstract, philosophical read; it’s easygoing, not too long, and it’s insightful.I FIRST read this as a recreational read in my twenties and it made a positive impression. Read this book and you’ll be able to answer this question for yourself: What is the Point of Living: To Have or To Be?In my twenties, I was most impressed with this quote (capitalization mine): “If you are what you HAVE and you lose what you have, what then are you? But if you are what you ARE and you lose what you have, no man controls your destiny.”Now, with 25+ years of REAL living behind me, I’ve seen the real-world impact of what Fromm describes as the true cost of the soul-crushing alienation of the obsessive “having” state typically pursued in our society. The end result of this lifestyle choice is not pretty: neither for individuals, nor for societies in general. Think “Crash of 2008” and its aftermath and re-alignment. Or think of your Best Friend who’s out shopping for her 12th Cadillac, trying oh-so-desperately to keep ahead of the neighbors.Fromm clearly spells out the choices inherent in HAVING or BEING and the polar opposite results those two pathways ultimately produce, in terms of neurosis, happiness, or the lack thereof. My older eyes see Fromm as a Utopian Idealist, but I still think this is a terrific guidebook for individual ethics, offering many deep insights into the Art of Living Well. Read it and get a healthy head start on Knowing Thyself.

⭐A modern classic that describes a lot of modern man’s problems. Especially the analytical first part is great. Toward the end it is noticeable that it was written in the late 70s with the Cold War, nuclear arms etc. His utopia is just that. Still, individuals as well as community leaders can learn a lot from this book. At times you have to use Fromm’s own advice (about students reading books) and be critical of what you read. Fromm , grown up as a Jew, depended for example on his Roman Catholic friend and theologian Rainer Funk to describe Christianity, however falls for his bias. Luther actually reintroduced the unconditional love = grace (matriarchal in type according to Fromm) back to Christianity, while in the RC Church you have to earn the love of the Church through deeds and merit. Fromm believe Funk in arguing that “the Church” as the bride of Christ is female in nature, and thus its love would be matriarchal, and that Luther took that away. However, Protestants know, whoever was not in agreement with the RC was even in danger of being burned on the stake before (and even afterward). How Funk can call this “unconditional love” is a riddle to me. Still, the book is worth reading every page.

⭐I really liked this book and the point of it. Fromm does a very good job at making his points clear through examples. The whole book is centered on one point and hardly goes astray but for, in my opinion, some of the sections after the mid point. It’s likely that I was being more defensive of religion than he was going off topic. I will admit that after reading the first few lines of those sections I knew that I wouldn’t want to keep reading them because if I disagreed it might ruin the rest of the book for me.Overall, this book makes me want to be a better person and offers the effect of soaking up the information into one’s self so that it’s not really a matter of remembering but a matter of being, which is the message of the whole book anyway.It’s a great read and there are a lot of points which would help the individual but there are also some points which would probably not serve one well in this society. I’ll leave you to decide that on your own whether those points are good or bad.

⭐Part of Erich Fromm’s series on World Perspectives, this book takes a very fundamental look at the root of the world’s problems (especially in the United States) and breaks it down to a very simple, logical choice of lifestyle; of which there are only two: a life of “having” or a life of “being.” Throughout the book Fromm reasserts many of the major beliefs and practices of the two modes of thought, and although he clearly favors one over the other (as all good people should), he gives good examples of how humans are drawn into both of the classes, as well as how we can change.In short, if you have been struggling with doubt or depression over many things you do in life and are ready to consider making profound changes for your essential happiness, try giving this book a read. I have already passed it among three of my friends and seen some substantial changes.

⭐Every single human living in today’s world should read this book…is essential!

⭐From the philosophical, who am I, to, how do I want to live. How do we fit in.The two described forms of seeing ourselves and living our life are a good start to reflect on and clarify the background of our existence. e.g.: do I have a brain and body vs. am I my body and brain; who is doing my thinking?The Consumer Society or a living society? What is the purpose of living or less demanding, how are we to live?This book starts you thinking and leads to a wholesome lifestyle, considering more than ourselves and what we have.KK

⭐Erich Fromm for me basically helps me learn how to live a better life.For me, Otto Rank, William James, and Erich Fromm are the three psychologist which have had the most influence on me in my life. While it may not be possible to cover all of the latest research discovered in recent decades of the academic psychology research world, it would be possible for a lay person to basically get a much better understanding of the human condition from reading a couple of books from Fromm, and Rank.

⭐A very sane book that does what it says on the tin, that is, it explores the contrast between the “Having” mode and the “Being” mode of living. Fromm does so in his usual fashion, broadly, with reference to the major Religions ( including Buddhism ) and even the Christian mystic Meister Eckhart. Insightful and even profound it its analysis, Fromm also references the actual writings and thought of Karl Marx prior to its distortions within Communist ideology and practice.The text invites serious thought, even contemplation and meditation – which Fromm practiced himself, being deeply aware of the thought of the great Theravada Elder, Nyanaponika Thera.Excellent. A small price to pay for such wisdom. Very well presented on Kindle.Thank you

⭐Fromme had foresight in his writings generally but more specifically in this final work.He not only predicted the problems that face human soceity in the 20C but also put forward a credible solution for it. The writing is clear and simple but also deep. I wish most politicians read it and take on the messages in the book of a sustainable fruitful future for the world.

⭐I read quite some of Fromm’s books over the past few years. They are all fabulous, not only because of his signature sharp and crisp writing style, but also because of his relentless insights into the nature of humanity, our contemporary society and his radical love for man and our true greatness of being….if we should allow it.

⭐A first rate treatise on modern life.

⭐A spark of light in this dark world.

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