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ple to fully express who they are as human beings Fromm is purely interested in explaining religion he is a functionalist He wants to judge (functionalist approach) religion. Fromm does NOT believe in religion; no reality unseen or otherwise Fromm is NEO-Freudian in his approaches. Marxist/Socialist during the cold war and mccarthyism Ends his life as a practicing Buddhist; although not religious before He is an existentialist.
Fromms Theory of Personality insight into human nature. - The human condition humans transcend nature while remaining a part of nature; this basic dichotomy of human existence expresses itself as two conflicting tendencies: progression vs. regression. Fromm placed people within an evolutionary time frame: Humans Humans realize we have reason and capacity for advanced thought; although, we still have the natural urges/tendencies o Progression the tendency to fully develop the human potential: freedom, reason and love (Productive) o Regression the tendency to give our reason and freedom to something else in order to return to security and dependence (non-productive) - Mental (and social) illness is caused by regressive, nonproductive responses to existential conflict (alienation from oneself, lack of relatedness to others, etc.) - Mental (and social) well being is the result of progressive, production resolutions to existential conflicts (self-realization, authentic relatedness, etc.)
Five existential conflicts resulting from the human condition. Fromms Theory of Religion - Definition: Religion is any system of thought and action that gives the individual a frame of orientation and an object of devotion Value: Religion is to be judged not on its truth but on its human effects; does it hinder or foster human development. Two types of religion: authoritarian, humanistic o Authoritarian Religion any system that entails submission to external authority and blocks the development of the human potential. God is predominantly a symbol of power and force that wants obedience above all else. Humans viewed as powerless and insignificant. o Humanistic Religion any system that helps facilitate the unfolding of the human potential.
God is a symbol of all that the human being is capable of becoming. Humans viewed as potent and extraordinary.
X-experience Non-theistic inner experiences connected with the realization of ones humanity and productiveness and a sense of oneness with the all.