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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Although the title of the book could be quite misleading, it is a classic work that explores the nature of love. Drawing on a combination of psychology, philosophy and sociology, Fromm answers the catchy refrain of the song "What is love? Baby don't hurt me..." and presents a profound analysis of love and its implications for human existence.
The book describes several kinds of love (motherly, brotherly,...). It is quite an in-depth analysis. In some cases the ideas presented here seem too "stramodern" but in the end the central idea is still something I personally resonate with a lot. It forces one to take responsibility and take life into our own hands in the sense that we need to realize that our relationships are a result of our choices and actions - and that therefore instead of passively waiting for love to strike, one can go out and commit to becoming a loving person. As with the ways of having and being, the transition from passively receiving love (as we initially are as infants) to actively giving love is a fundamental change in our outlook on life, a stage in the lifelong process of growing toward personal integrity, freedom, and responsibility as adults who have the means to consciously work toward securing our happiness in life.
The book describes several kinds of love (motherly, brotherly,...). It is quite an in-depth analysis. In some cases the ideas presented here seem too "stramodern" but in the end the central idea is still something I personally resonate with a lot. It forces one to take responsibility and take life into our own hands in the sense that we need to realize that our relationships are a result of our choices and actions - and that therefore instead of passively waiting for love to strike, one can go out and commit to becoming a loving person. As with the ways of having and being, the transition from passively receiving love (as we initially are as infants) to actively giving love is a fundamental change in our outlook on life, a stage in the lifelong process of growing toward personal integrity, freedom, and responsibility as adults who have the means to consciously work toward securing our happiness in life.
this little book was packed full of insights into human nature, and how much of a pillar love is in terms of the human existence. i recommend this to all whether you have or have not been in a relationship, whether you have a poor or amazing relationship to your parents… i recommend it to all. the worst you can do is learn something, and i don’t think that’s time wasted, not at all…
Interesting read but I don’t know, I still think you can love others even if you don’t love yourself.
I mean I do believe it’s more healthy when both parties love themselves, but I don’t think it comes down to infatuation or pseudo-love when one doesn’t love themselves.
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Also a lottt of religious talk and freud references, which I was not expecting
I mean I do believe it’s more healthy when both parties love themselves, but I don’t think it comes down to infatuation or pseudo-love when one doesn’t love themselves.
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Also a lottt of religious talk and freud references, which I was not expecting
3.5/5*
I read this about four years ago when I was revisiting my love of philosophical theory and practice. I read a few books, including Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, in my own process of soul searching.
Frankl published his work in the 1940s and The Art of Loving was published in the 1950s. Both have a lot of flaws when viewed from the twenty-first century perspective. Fromm’s dedication to gender roles, gender binaries, and heterosexual relationships is one of those flaws. Even reminding myself of the historical context in which they wrote, I found myself frustrated at times. But, if you can suspend your judgment of his antiquated examples, his philosophical musings on different types of love and how to practice compassion make this book well worth the read.
I also recommend checking out Man’s Search for Meaning. There are a few hurdles for those with the tendency to apply present-day understanding to judge works of the past. But Frankl’s thoughts on finding meaning in life — even in atrocious circumstances — had a significant impact on my life. I carry some of Frankl’s and Fromm’s teachings with me to this day.
I read this about four years ago when I was revisiting my love of philosophical theory and practice. I read a few books, including Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, in my own process of soul searching.
Frankl published his work in the 1940s and The Art of Loving was published in the 1950s. Both have a lot of flaws when viewed from the twenty-first century perspective. Fromm’s dedication to gender roles, gender binaries, and heterosexual relationships is one of those flaws. Even reminding myself of the historical context in which they wrote, I found myself frustrated at times. But, if you can suspend your judgment of his antiquated examples, his philosophical musings on different types of love and how to practice compassion make this book well worth the read.
I also recommend checking out Man’s Search for Meaning. There are a few hurdles for those with the tendency to apply present-day understanding to judge works of the past. But Frankl’s thoughts on finding meaning in life — even in atrocious circumstances — had a significant impact on my life. I carry some of Frankl’s and Fromm’s teachings with me to this day.
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
informative
medium-paced
Got halfway through. I like the idea of love as active versus passive feeling but this books represents everything I hate about psychoanalytic theory: grossly speculative conclusions and blatant androcentrism.