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72nd out of 120 books
—
181 voters
The Art of Being
Between 1974 and 1976, while working on the book To Have Or to Be? at his home in Locarno, Switzerland, the aged Erich Fromm wrote far more manuscript and chapters than were actually used in the book, which was published in 1976. Some of these chapters are contained in the present volume. They deal entirely with the "steps toward being" that the individual can take in orde...more
Paperback, 144 pages
Published
September 1st 1994
by Bloomsbury Academic
(first published 1992)
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I approached this work with trepidation. My shuddering become more pronounced when Fromm started talking about mediation and self-awareness and Buddhism. “Oh dear,” I thought, “We’re in for one of those books.”
That it wasn’t ‘one of those books’ really surprised and delighted me. My mum is always at me to take up mediation. I’ve, on occasion, even gone to such places and then they talk to me about Chakras and my spiritual self and other rot and nonsense and a deep depression engulfs my soul. The...more
That it wasn’t ‘one of those books’ really surprised and delighted me. My mum is always at me to take up mediation. I’ve, on occasion, even gone to such places and then they talk to me about Chakras and my spiritual self and other rot and nonsense and a deep depression engulfs my soul. The...more
I read this a year or two ago and LOVED it. Amazing. I was exceptionally pleased to read yet another Erich Fromm book and not be disappointed. His writing is accessible and eloquent and his messages powerful. I recommend this book.
P. 19, 20:
"I have devoted so much space to these movements because I think there is an important lesson to be learned. The basis for any approach to self-transformation is an ever-increasing awareness of reality and the shredding of illusions. Illusions contaminate ev...more
P. 19, 20:
"I have devoted so much space to these movements because I think there is an important lesson to be learned. The basis for any approach to self-transformation is an ever-increasing awareness of reality and the shredding of illusions. Illusions contaminate ev...more
My habit this year has become reading short books in twos, so after reading Erich Fromm’s The Art of Loving, there was no other reasoning behind reading The Art of Being next, besides that fact. Fromm generates a seemingly coherent outlook on society, which, someone having an extensive understanding in different philosophical and psychological areas can undoubtedly appreciate, but I could not. It definitely has sparked an interest in what it means to be, what it means to live in our society, so...more
I stumbled upon this book on accident. I had never heard of Erich Fromm before. At times I feel like fate is playing games with me when I find something that enlarges and enriches my perspectives on life. This was one of those books.
This is a treatise on the identity of man. He brings up Freudian and Marxian theories frequently in discussing the estrangement of modern man from themselves. The middle class feels the bulk of the estrangement as they try to pull off an incredibly difficult balance...more
This is a treatise on the identity of man. He brings up Freudian and Marxian theories frequently in discussing the estrangement of modern man from themselves. The middle class feels the bulk of the estrangement as they try to pull off an incredibly difficult balance...more
In "The Art of Being", Fromm tries to give practical support to all of his readers who want to move from narcisstic selfishness and egotism to happiness and well-being. This is (probably meant as) a sequel to his larger and more well-known "To Have or To Be", adding ideas and practices for self-improvement to his psychological analysis of the having and being mode in our society.
Unlike other writers, Fromm is very concrete in his writing:: Learn to be awake, to be aware to concentrate, to medita...more
Unlike other writers, Fromm is very concrete in his writing:: Learn to be awake, to be aware to concentrate, to medita...more
The Art of Being is a rare book that I agree with ideas presented in the books as often as I disagree with other ideas presented therein. Fromm of course takes large portions of his philosophy from Sigmund Freud (whom I rarely agree with) and Karl Marx (whom I rarely disagree with). The Art of Being, a collection of chapters that Fromm cut from To Have or To Be? which his family decided to publish after his death, lacks the punch of many of Fromm's works, largely because these chapters were...more
Jul 14, 2008
Krom
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone tired of consumerism, searching for meaning in life.
Recommended to Krom by:
Varn Nine
This was the first book by Fromm I have read, and for me this book was full of some profound insights. I've seen some criticize this book as a watered down version of his earlier works, but there is value here and perhaps this is a better starting point for some. Fromm’s goal in this book is to lay down a roadmap for achieving a life of inner peace and contentment that is not derived from having the most of something.
Like any roadmap for inner peace or enlightenment, easier said than done. But...more
Like any roadmap for inner peace or enlightenment, easier said than done. But...more
Clear and thoughtful, loaded with insight, though a couple (small and insignificant) parts felt like they weren't aging well. The same is true of "The Art of Loving" which, while also great, references a few outdated notions. That all said, I'll be happily hanging on to both little paperbacks for a long time.
Fromm goes deeply into viewing the core of our existence and what we are attempting to attain by being "happy." Very thought provoking and many insights were valid. However, it felt as if a large portion of the book was laced with an air of self righteousness.
I like it a lot, it is his books that touches so many fields of my life, and open my eyes to many questions that I never suposed to exist. Definetly a must to read.
There was nothing very profound or insightful about this. In many places, the author was quite boring and irrelevant.
So good...a plea for us to 'be' and not to focus on 'do' and 'have' as much as we do.
"La alegría es el resultado de una vida intensa"
A beautiful guide on living. Must read
another book, I never part from
Short, sweet and very good
Best book i ever read.
Amazing dissection of today society. Great analysis. Love the way he talks about mediation. The short trance of yoga practice and meditation that people get so addicted to nowadays is what just a brief escape that gives more space within one self to take up even more stress and negativeness in this chaotic world. I see not much of the presence of the state of "being" when people thrush into yoga center.
In the name of peace.
And being.
In the name of peace.
And being.
Quit reading reviews and just read this one because it is quick and worth the read.
Originally part of To Have or to Be?, Fromm decided it would draw too much attention away from the main part of the book, so he wrote this compelling volume. He does an excellent job of writing to everyone, not just an academic audience.
it about the difference between Being & Having
Definitely a pleasant read, though I feel like if I say this book left me more indifferent than stoked, I would get disowned. Could just be I'm too cynical or maybe I read them out of order. My grandfather swears by this man and I'm just now reading them 15 years after he's given it to me. Also,
a guy on the plane asked me if I was reading it for school.
I kinda feel like I was.
a guy on the plane asked me if I was reading it for school.
I kinda feel like I was.
After reading To Have or to Be?, I guess I expected a lot from Fromm. This book fails to meet such expectations. It really just seems like a severely watered-down version of To Have or to Be?--read that one instead of this one if you're interested in Fromm's (important!) analysis regarding the having and being modes of human existence.
sort of a mix of freud and marx, but more "pop" and so easier to read. im not sure why i started with fromm, but maybe i was out to impress an attractive musicologist grad student..
This book changed the way I view myself in relation to my culture and society. I would recommend it to any one who has ever felt torn between what they feel is right for them and what their society often suggests is right for them. It is a great and fascinating book!
Expansion and revision to To Have and To Be. Emphasizes importance of self-awareness and independence, and takes apart rationales behind 'having', or rampant consumerism, false paths to 'enlightment', and other trivial things.
Erich Fromm outdid all social scientists in this book. My explanation would be too shallow to write, so I advise you to read it yourself!
"Modern man has many things and uses many things, but he is very little."
Incredible.
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Erich Fromm was a German-born U.S. psychoanalyst and social philosopher who explored the interaction between psychology and society. His works include The Art of Loving; Love, Sexuality, and Matriarchy; and Man for Himself. He died in 1980.
Fromm's theory is a rather unique blend of Freud and Marx. Freud, of course, emphasized the unconscious, biological drives, repression, and so on. In other word...more
More about Erich Fromm...
Fromm's theory is a rather unique blend of Freud and Marx. Freud, of course, emphasized the unconscious, biological drives, repression, and so on. In other word...more
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“If other people do not understand our behavior—so what? Their request that we must only do what they understand is an attempt to dictate to us. If this is being "asocial" or "irrational" in their eyes, so be it. Mostly they resent our freedom and our courage to be ourselves. We owe nobody an explanation or an accounting, as long as our acts do not hurt or infringe on them. How many lives have been ruined by this need to "explain," which usually implies that the explanation be "understood," i.e. approved. Let your deeds be judged, and from your deeds, your real intentions, but know that a free person owes an explanation only to himself—to his reason and his conscience—and to the few who may have a justified claim for explanation.”
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189 people liked it
More quotes…
Aug 06, 2008 01:23pm
Please read Wittgenstein next.
Aug 12, 2008 11:31am
Aug 12, 2008 01:39pm