Feb 8th Notes REL 304 Erich Fromm Humanistic psychologists (first quintessential humanist) Humanists want people

ple to fully express who they are as human beings Fromm is purely interested in explaining religion he is a functionalist He wants to judge (functionalist approach) religion. Fromm does NOT believe in religion; no reality unseen or otherwise Fromm is NEO-Freudian in his approaches. Marxist/Socialist during the cold war and mccarthyism Ends his life as a practicing Buddhist; although not religious before He is an existentialist.

Fromms Theory of Personality insight into human nature. - The human condition humans transcend nature while remaining a part of nature; this basic dichotomy of human existence expresses itself as two conflicting tendencies: progression vs. regression. Fromm placed people within an evolutionary time frame: Humans Humans realize we have reason and capacity for advanced thought; although, we still have the natural urges/tendencies o Progression the tendency to fully develop the human potential: freedom, reason and love (Productive) o Regression the tendency to give our reason and freedom to something else in order to return to security and dependence (non-productive) - Mental (and social) illness is caused by regressive, nonproductive responses to existential conflict (alienation from oneself, lack of relatedness to others, etc.) - Mental (and social) well being is the result of progressive, production resolutions to existential conflicts (self-realization, authentic relatedness, etc.)

Five existential conflicts resulting from the human condition. Fromms Theory of Religion - Definition: Religion is any system of thought and action that gives the individual a frame of orientation and an object of devotion Value: Religion is to be judged not on its truth but on its human effects; does it hinder or foster human development. Two types of religion: authoritarian, humanistic o Authoritarian Religion any system that entails submission to external authority and blocks the development of the human potential. God is predominantly a symbol of power and force that wants obedience above all else. Humans viewed as powerless and insignificant. o Humanistic Religion any system that helps facilitate the unfolding of the human potential.

God is a symbol of all that the human being is capable of becoming. Humans viewed as potent and extraordinary.

X-experience Non-theistic inner experiences connected with the realization of ones humanity and productiveness and a sense of oneness with the all.