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Erich Fromm
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To Have or To Be? Paperback – September 6, 2005

by Erich Fromm (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 530 ratings
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To Have Or to Be? is one of the seminal books of the second half of the 20th century. Nothing less than a manifesto for a new social and psychological revolution to save our threatened planet, this book is a summary of the penetrating thought of Eric Fromm. His thesis is that two modes of existence struggle for the spirit of humankind: the having mode, which concentrates on material possessions, power, and aggression, and is the basis of the universal evils of greed, envy, and violence; and the being mode, which is based on love, the pleasure of sharing, and in productive activity. To Have Or to Be? is a brilliant program for socioeconomic change.
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Previous page
  1. Part of series
    Bloomsbury Revelations
  2. Print length
    224 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Bloomsbury Academic
  5. Publication date
    September 6, 2005
  6. Dimensions
    5 x 0.5 x 7.7 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0826417388
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0826417381
  9. See all details
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About the Author

Born in Frankfurt-am-Main, Erich Fromm (1900-1980) studied sociology and psychoanalysis. In 1933, he emigrated as a member of the Frankfurt School of social thinkers to the United States, moved to Mexico in 1950, and spent his twilight years between 1974 and 1980 in Switzerland. His books Fear of Freedom (1941) and The Art of Loving (1956) made him famous. Other well-known books are Marx's Concept of Man, Beyond the Chains of Illusion, and The Essential Fromm.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury Academic; Revised edition (September 6, 2005)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0826417388
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0826417381
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.5 x 7.7 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 530 ratings

About the author

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Erich Fromm

Erich Fromm

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Erich Seligmann Fromm (German: [fʀɔm]; March 23, 1900 – March 18, 1980) was a German social psychologist, psychoanalyst, sociologist, humanistic philosopher, and democratic socialist. He was associated with the Frankfurt School of critical theory.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by Arturo Espinosa [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
530 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

OK
5.0 out of 5 stars Re-read This Classic; Wow! Almost Thirty Years Can Really Make a Difference
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2014
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Where to begin? This has to be one of my Top Ten favorite books. If you are unaware of who Erich Fromm was, do a quick Wikipedia search. It's pertinent. This is not an overly-abstract, philosophical read; it's easygoing, not too long, and it's insightful.

I FIRST read this as a recreational read in my twenties and it made a positive impression. Read this book and you'll be able to answer this question for yourself: What is the Point of Living: To Have or To Be?

In my twenties, I was most impressed with this quote (capitalization mine): "If you are what you HAVE and you lose what you have, what then are you? But if you are what you ARE and you lose what you have, no man controls your destiny."

Now, with 25+ years of REAL living behind me, I've seen the real-world impact of what Fromm describes as the true cost of the soul-crushing alienation of the obsessive "having" state typically pursued in our society. The end result of this lifestyle choice is not pretty: neither for individuals, nor for societies in general. Think "Crash of 2008" and its aftermath and re-alignment. Or think of your Best Friend who's out shopping for her 12th Cadillac, trying oh-so-desperately to keep ahead of the neighbors.

Fromm clearly spells out the choices inherent in HAVING or BEING and the polar opposite results those two pathways ultimately produce, in terms of neurosis, happiness, or the lack thereof. My older eyes see Fromm as a Utopian Idealist, but I still think this is a terrific guidebook for individual ethics, offering many deep insights into the Art of Living Well. Read it and get a healthy head start on Knowing Thyself.
146 people found this helpful
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Michael
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the time to check it out.
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2015
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Erich Fromm for me basically helps me learn how to live a better life.

For me, Otto Rank, William James, and Erich Fromm are the three psychologist which have had the most influence on me in my life. While it may not be possible to cover all of the latest research discovered in recent decades of the academic psychology research world, it would be possible for a lay person to basically get a much better understanding of the human condition from reading a couple of books from Fromm, and Rank.
27 people found this helpful
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Karsten Decker
4.0 out of 5 stars Deep insight into modern society.
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2016
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A modern classic that describes a lot of modern man's problems. Especially the analytical first part is great. Toward the end it is noticeable that it was written in the late 70s with the Cold War, nuclear arms etc. His utopia is just that. Still, individuals as well as community leaders can learn a lot from this book. At times you have to use Fromm's own advice (about students reading books) and be critical of what you read. Fromm , grown up as a Jew, depended for example on his Roman Catholic friend and theologian Rainer Funk to describe Christianity, however falls for his bias. Luther actually reintroduced the unconditional love = grace (matriarchal in type according to Fromm) back to Christianity, while in the RC Church you have to earn the love of the Church through deeds and merit. Fromm believe Funk in arguing that "the Church" as the bride of Christ is female in nature, and thus its love would be matriarchal, and that Luther took that away. However, Protestants know, whoever was not in agreement with the RC was even in danger of being burned on the stake before (and even afterward). How Funk can call this "unconditional love" is a riddle to me. Still, the book is worth reading every page.
19 people found this helpful
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brendan_s
5.0 out of 5 stars This was a life-changing book, and will forever remain so
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2013
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Part of Erich Fromm's series on World Perspectives, this book takes a very fundamental look at the root of the world's problems (especially in the United States) and breaks it down to a very simple, logical choice of lifestyle; of which there are only two: a life of "having" or a life of "being." Throughout the book Fromm reasserts many of the major beliefs and practices of the two modes of thought, and although he clearly favors one over the other (as all good people should), he gives good examples of how humans are drawn into both of the classes, as well as how we can change.

In short, if you have been struggling with doubt or depression over many things you do in life and are ready to consider making profound changes for your essential happiness, try giving this book a read. I have already passed it among three of my friends and seen some substantial changes.
30 people found this helpful
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Hallin Hernandez
3.0 out of 5 stars Great start and then...
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2015
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It starts inclredibly good, explaining the have / be approach to life and where it comes from, the effects of it, then it propose a whole new social arrangement that is kind of utopian. Not that the idea is bad, but is not well developed nor documented. Just enjoyed the first half of the book
13 people found this helpful
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K.K.
5.0 out of 5 stars Two Modes Of Existence
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2013
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From the philosophical, who am I, to,
how do I want to live.
How do we fit in.
The two described forms of seeing ourselves and living our life are a good start to reflect on and clarify the background of our existence. e.g.: do I have a brain and body vs. am I my body and brain; who is doing my thinking?
The Consumer Society or a living society? What is the purpose of living or less demanding, how are we to live?
This book starts you thinking and leads to a wholesome lifestyle, considering more than ourselves and what we have.
KK
6 people found this helpful
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Skaterdma
5.0 out of 5 stars A Fine Brandy
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2013
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I agree with other reviewers that the book should be read more than one time. I would add that it should be sipped like a fine brandy. In small sips and not gulped down.

We all have our favorite psychologists but Fromm is the creme de la creme of them all in my opinion. I especially enjoyed Chapter Six. The themes of security and insecurity, solidarity and antagonism, joy and pleasure, sin and forgiveness, fear of dying and affirmation of living,
here and now and Past and Future are spot on.
24 people found this helpful
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L. D. White
5.0 out of 5 stars Consumerism Defined
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2015
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Outstanding!!

A great mind, a great read, re-inforcing all the quiet rebels against rampant consumerism, or the Madison Avenue Mentality, the robot following the herd world.

Read, contemplate, follow the train of thought, then contrast self, to Fromm, and read more - The Art of Being!!!

Dee
7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Luca Maler Guapo
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in Brazil on November 13, 2022
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Great book, with great insights about modern age thinking, ways of living, and an alternative for most of it.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book.
Reviewed in Spain on July 19, 2021
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Love this book.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Read the best books first
Reviewed in Canada on December 6, 2018
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After more than three decades and fifty thousand hours of research, reflection and study in philosophy and related fields (and it's all related) I would say this. Read the best books first, as Thoreau said. Starting with Chomsky, Thoreau and Fromm, would be a good idea. Shove the drivel aside. Most writers, thinkers, pundits, etc., do not rise to 1% of the clarity of these three, and a handful of others in human history. Don't waste your time on junk - and 99.999% of the rest, is junk by comparison.
9 people found this helpful
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Tariki
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2017
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A very sane book that does what it says on the tin, that is, it explores the contrast between the "Having" mode and the "Being" mode of living. Fromm does so in his usual fashion, broadly, with reference to the major Religions ( including Buddhism ) and even the Christian mystic Meister Eckhart. Insightful and even profound it its analysis, Fromm also references the actual writings and thought of Karl Marx prior to its distortions within Communist ideology and practice.

The text invites serious thought, even contemplation and meditation - which Fromm practiced himself, being deeply aware of the thought of the great Theravada Elder, Nyanaponika Thera.

Excellent. A small price to pay for such wisdom. Very well presented on Kindle.

Thank you
11 people found this helpful
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lyllidar
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent and inspiring book
Reviewed in Italy on November 28, 2016
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As always Fromm can give an amazing overview on the crucial things of life and what we should care of in order to be happier and satisfied. Personally I love reading it and taking it very slowly, trying to catch the most I can of every single chapter, going over the next one only when I've perfectly got the previous. And I love it.
One person found this helpful
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