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How can we explain man's lust for cruelty? In a world in which violence seems to be increasing, social philosopher Erich Fromm has treated this haunting question with depth and scope in the most original and far-reaching work of his brilliant career. Fromm goes beyond the controversy between instinctivists like Lorenz, who argue that man's destructiveness has been inherited from his animal ancestors, and behaviorists like Skinner, who maintain that there are no innate human traits since everything is the result of social conditioning. Conceding that there is a kind of aggression which man shares with animals, Fromm shows that it is defensive in nature, designed to insure survival. On the other hand, malignant aggression, or destructiveness, in which man kills without biological or social purpose, is peculiarly human and not instinctive; it is one of the passions, like ambition or greed. Drawing on findings of neurophysiology, prehistory, anthropology, and animal psychology, Fromm presents a global and historical study of human destructiveness that enables readers to evaluate the data for themselves. Although deeply indebted to Freud, Fromm emphasizes social and cultural factors as well. Destructiveness is seen in terms of the dreams and associations of many patients, and of historical figures such as Stalin--an extreme example of sadism; Himmler--an example of the bureaucratic-sadistic character; and Hitler.--From publisher description.
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Previews available in: German English
Showing 6 featured editions. View all 24 editions?
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1
Anatomie der menschlichen Destruktivität
January 1, 1996, Rowohlt Tb.
Paperback
in German
3499170523 9783499170522
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2
The anatomy of human destructiveness
1992, H. Holt
in English
- 1st Owl book ed.
080501604X 9780805016048
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5
The anatomy of human destructiveness.
1973, Holt, Rinehart and Winston
in English
- [1st ed.]
0030075963 9780030075964
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6
The anatomy of human destructiveness
1973, Holt, Rinehart and Winston
in English
- 1st ed.
0030075963 9780030075964
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Book Details
Edition Notes
Bibliography: p. 479-498.
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Work Description
A study of man’s destructive nature that utilizes evidence from psychoanalysis, neurophysiology, animal psychology, paleontology, and anthropology and is documented with clinical examples.
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