THE ART OF LOVING

by Erich Fromm ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

A minor opus from a major name comes under the World Perspectives imprint dedicated to exploration of values suitable to a world age. Dr. Fromm feels that love is the only provision for a sane and satisfying human existence, but his study points up the error in popular conception of the term and the misdirection of a society which upholds the error. Concerned with the ability or capacity of an individual to love, he claims that the romantic conception emphasizes the object rather than the faculty of love -- and a market culture exploits people as commodities where people unconsciously bargain for human goods. Placing various attempts at union (the social origins of groups, -- transitory , herd conformity- pseudo, creative activity --impersonal), he sees love, interpersonal union, as a fusion with integrity compounded of care, responsibility, respect, knowledge, in which giving is the expression of strength and source of mature joy. His theme runs through the rainbow of love objects -- self, God, fraternal, maternal and paternal and erotic. The advice given on the practice of the art and the gloomy conclusion that our society squelchesall but the exceptional may serve to counterbalance the discouraging aspect of ideal demands.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harper

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1956

Categories: NONFICTION