Compare And Contrast Fromm’s Human Needs
Erich Fromm is one of the renowned philosophers and thinkers in the domains of psychology and psychoanalysis among other associative disciplines. His basic thesis is premised in the assertion that modern-day people have been separated and isolated from their prehistoric union with nature and also with one another, yet they still retain the power of reasoning, foresight, and imagination. In Erich’s terms it is this combination of lack of animal instincts and presence of rational thought makes humans the freaks of the universe. The thinker contends that Self-awareness contributes to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and homelessness. To escape from these feelings, people strive to become reunited with nature and with their fellow human beings. Fromm’s thrust on the aspect of human needs has tenets that can be compared and contrasted to the biblical viewpoints on the condition of humans.
Funk Rainer (2003) notes that Fromm’s humanistic psychoanalysis assumes that the separation of humanity from the natural world has generated feelings of loneliness as well as isolation a condition which has been termed as basic isolation. Fromm contends that it is only through love that humans can be united with world and help the person to accomplish individuality as well integrity. In his perspective the four basic elements of genuine love are care, responsibility respect as well as knowledge. His assertions concur with the biblical viewpoints asserted by the Apostle Paul in the first epistle to the Corinthians. Paul expresses that although one may speak with the tongues of angels and do wonders everything is meaningless if it does come from genuine love. Paul has taken as a significant thrust in underscoring the Critical importance of love as the fundamental driving force governing human relations as well as the interaction of humans with the entirety of God’s creation.
The other junction which can be established in the comparison of the Fromm’s thrust on human needs with biblical viewpoints is in that Fromm echoes the concepts of transcendence where- in humans experience the urge to rise above base realms of ‘passive and accidental existence’ and get into the realm of purposefulness as well as freedom. This notion tally with the biblical notion especially underscores by Jesus himself that true happiness comes from transcending self and focusing on other people’s needs. Jesus emphasized the importance and the eternal value of caring for our neighbors and His thrust is well illuminated in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Fromm’s perspective concur with the biblical viewpoints on the aspect of transcendence where in humans get to actualize by setting off from base realms and getting into spheres of purposefulness and altruism.
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