Escape from Freedom | Topics for Discussion & Projects

Escape from Freedom Topics for Discussion

Fromm defines "freedom" in at least two distinct ways. What are these definitions and how do they differ?

How are figures like Martin Luther, John Calvin and Adolf Hitler similar in Fromm's estimation? How do they differ?

Fromm states his belief that societies have psychological characters just as individuals do. What implications does this have in Fromm's argument?

Fromm believes that a society's character is determined by the individual characters of its typical members. Is he justified in this belief? What support does he offer?

How does Fromm's view of history differ from Freud's according to Fromm?

What role do women play in Fromm's analysis of the importance of work? Does he address this adequately?

Does Fromm find anything of value in capitalism?

What does Fromm think of popular entertainment? What changes might he wish for in a more perfectly free society?