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Erich Fromm

The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness Paperback – February 15, 1992

by Erich Fromm (Author)

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Renowned psychoanalyst and social philosopher Erich Fromm examines the causes and effects of people’s violent tendencies in The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness.

In this provocative book, the distinguished author writes to break the deadlock argued about the roots of human nature by exploring the struggle between the instinctivism of Konrad Lorenz and behavior psychologist B. F. Skinner: are people inherently antagonistic or do people learn hostility from their environment and the actions of those around them?

Drawing from neurophysiology and anthropology studies and findings, Fromm presents fascinating ideas about how the human character and condition developed―and continues to develop―in contemporary society.

“A book by Erich Fromm is always intelligent and contains much of interest and insight, and this one is no exception.”―The New York Times

Print length

576 pages
Language

English
Publication date

February 15, 1992
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.94 x 8.25 inches
ISBN-10

9780805016048
ISBN-13

978-0805016048
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“If any single work could bring mankind to its senses, this book might qualify for that miracle. . . . This book is the product of one of the most penetrating, most mature minds of our time.” ―Lewis Mumford

“In this perhaps most important of his pioneering theoretical works, the distinguished author writes with brilliant insight in attempting to break the deadlock in the struggle between the instinctivism of Konrad Lorenz . . . and behaviorist B.F. Skinner. He moves toward a provocative conclusion which involves a critical revision of Freud's theory of a "death instinct" in man. . . . Fromm's studies of Stalin and Himmler, and especially his penetrating psychobiography of Hitler, fascinatingy support his thesis.” ―Publisher's Weekly

“Rich and provocative . . . a major book from the pen of a major writer.” ―The Washington Post Book World

“Fromm is an original thinker. . . . His analysis of the causes of destructiveness is unique, and he has an enviable skill in the lucid presentation of intricate material.” ―Atlantic Monthly

“By far the best book I have ever read on the subject and by far the most absorbing.” ―Ashley Montagu

About the Author

Erich Fromm was a German-born American psychoanalyst and social philosopher who explored the interaction between psychology and society. His works include The Art of Loving, Escape from Freedom, and The Sane Society. He died in 1980.

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Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 080501604X
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Holt Paperbacks; Revised and Rev edition (February 15, 1992)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 576 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780805016048
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0805016048
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.94 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #316,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #153 in Behaviorism Psychology
- #220 in Behavioral Psychology (Books)
- #353 in Medical Psychoanalysis

Customer Reviews:
139 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		77%
4 star		13%
3 star		6%
2 star		1%
1 star		3%

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JimmyK

His thoughts are more relevant today than ever!

Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2020

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I wish i read this book earlier in life. The philosophy and psychology of destructive behaviors you see around you and in yourself. So many levels and types of destructiveness which you don’t recognize and in turn can become the victim, or worse, become the agent of destruction. He debunks evolutionist, instinctivist, and behaviorist theories and replaces them with his own theory which makes the best psychological theory i’ve ever come across. Fromm is the most underrated thinker of the twentieth century. His thoughts are more relevant today than ever!

15 people found this helpful

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Marie Clewley

A classic one of a kind, a must for your Social Psychology library.

Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2018

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A classic one of a kind, this is a must for your Social Psychology library. This is the best study I have ever seen in applied personality theory, history and critical perspectives in this character analysis of the autism, sado-masochism and malignant destructiveness of Adolf Hitler and more.

7 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Good as far as it goes!

Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2021

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Would have liked for Fromm to have just stated the obvious, that oppressive capitalism is what causes malignancy at both the top and bottom of society.

One person found this helpful

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matt sinclair

Enlightening

Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2016

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The anthropological descriptions of some of the obscure cultures was completely fascinating to me! I had no idea such peaceful culture existed, nor culture that can be defined by suspicion, hostility, and treachery. Upon reflection you can see microcosm of these in modern society. You will definitely gain an ability to analyze people's behavior in an objective, historically reflective manner after reading this book by a psychoanalyst. His explanations of modern psychoanalysis (as altered from Freud's original theories and techniques) was completely unknown to me, having only taken intro psych class. It's much less suspect in validity than I thought (from the perspective of a science student.)

13 people found this helpful

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Dmitri Medvedev

Amazing book about the modern society

Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2017

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I really liked this book because it presented in a very rigorous way the philosophy of the author. While this could be viewed just as another psychology “self-help” book, I believe that it stands far apart in its relevance, strength of analysis and rigor.

8 people found this helpful

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vishdes

Human destructiveness is not an insticnt

Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2014

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This is a great attempt to de-instinctivise human destrctiveness. While critics ma be able to poke holes into the theory, I liked that fact that the author has gone to great lengths to establish his theory that human destrctiveness is not an instinct. The book will help readers realign their own thoughts about human destructiveness. While I find it difficult to agree with the book ints entirety, I certainly share Erich Fromm's view that human destructiveness can be controlled and that it is possible to remove violence from human life if all of us make a collective effort.

15 people found this helpful

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Rev4u

Definitely, Fromm's Masterpiece!!!

Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2006

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Fromm's volume "The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness" is the most complete and thorough research on the topic of aggression. It validates the theory that malignant aggression or destructiveness is part of human character, one of the passions we possess like love, ambition, and greed. His book takes the reader on a phenomenal journey that enlightens the mind and unearths the deepest passion in the human heart. Fromm explores with surgical precision the various types of human aggression and the history behind it. His fabulous research is unequivocally the most prolific and exhaustive on this topic. This text is a must read. It will help you discover and understand yourself as well as the world that you live in.

23 people found this helpful

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Deborah W. Seigman

I read this in the 1970's and was greatly impressed ...

Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2015

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I read this in the 1970's and was greatly impressed, because I was a child during WWII and often wondered about how and why some personalities were so inhumane. As the years have gone by and our children have established families of their own, I have frequently referred to this book and finally bought one for our son, now a criminal defense lawyer. The writing is lucid, direct, and helpful.

16 people found this helpful

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Lark

The problem of evil from a psychological perspective

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2020

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This is one of the few really good treatments of the problem of evil by a non-theological or non-philosophical source that I know of, it certainly is one of the most comprehensive.

Albeit that Fromm is writing at a particular time and some of his insights are dated, such as a lot of the neurological or neuro-scientific research (which he admits himself in the introduction he is no expert in and largely consulted others to provide this content). There is also, in the final chapter a focus upon Hitler and it is clear that he is processing some of the events of WW2 Europe.

Themes within this book may be familiar to anyone who has read others of Fromm's books (I bought this book first, many people who read nothing else by Fromm have read this one, I read his other books first), such as necrophilious and biophilious drives in conflict, malignant and benign aggression, rejection of (classical, ie Libido theory) Freudianism, Konrad Lorenz, BF Skinner (so instinct and behaviourist theories).

The book is in three parts, the first one presents instinctiveness, behaviourism, psychoanalysis; the second the evidence against the instinctivist thesis (including chapters on neurophysiology, animal-behaviour, paleontology, anthropology); part three the varieties of aggression and destructive and their respective conditions. Fromm has really been rigorous in his research and supports his insights, this book has all the hallmarks of a magnum opus too.

I think his other books have a great deal of insight and taken together provide the best insight of all, in particular if you have read and enjoyed his books Beyond Freud and The Pathology of Normalcy I think you would enjoy this book too.

It may be dated, the theories and theorists Fromm is reacting to in presenting his own, equally dated too, such as Freud, Skinner and Lorenz, but some of their ideas remain popular with people who do not know their source. Lorenz's ideas about a sort of "build up" or "hydraulic" pressure release type of aggression, Freud's libidinal and "death drive", Skinner's conditioning environment ideas. They all still have a certain currency among the public, even among some pundits, if they have been subject to compelling criticism and challenge.

While I mentioned Fromm's other books I do not believe that a reader necessarily needs any prior acquaintance with Fromm to read this book and find it interesting or to understand it. Its worth reading and rereading. This edition has a very good bibliography and references and index. Recommended.

2 people found this helpful

helen

A fresh insight

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 19, 2018

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I really enjoyed this book. Some parts however seem dated, and his theorising within a Freudian framework needs to be questioned or challenged. Also worth checking out Steven Pinker's book on violence.

glen cochrane

The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness

Reviewed in Canada on January 28, 2013

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Wow, what a book. Fromm just has so much to say on these subjects of human nature that touch into all aspects of culture, society and human life. The book certainly isn't as disjointed as this sounds, I think it's his subject matter that is so far-reaching that people form all walks of life can find worth in the things that Fromm discusses.

For Fromm, I think it's apparent that he's trying to make sense of WWII and how a man like Hitler could have done what he wanted to do. Not only is Fromm a brilliant man, but he has obviously gained from his experiences in the war, and is admirable trying to make sense of it all for the benefit of humankind. It's difficult to know about what to comment on in this book. It's deep, very long and sometimes difficult to get through, but it's so much worth it. His perspectives on human situation show how psychology can describe life in practical ways. It can help us make sense of an often nonsensical world. And, even in doing so, he often describes everyday concepts (for example, Freedom) in ways that fit what happens in our world.

This is a book I come back to often for inspiration and understanding. It's a book that can reach into anyone concerned with any type of human endeavor. It's a wonderful collection of thoughts and explanation.

One person found this helpful

melanie k

Great

Reviewed in Canada on April 5, 2019

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👌🏼

Rita Kolker

Three Stars

Reviewed in Canada on October 14, 2017

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The Human Destructiveness level is behind of today!

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