Bibliography
Fromm, E. (1966). Marx's Concept of Man. New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co.
It’s clear in this work that Erich Fromm is a Marx apologist, or maybe better said advocate. There is a portion of the work that deals with Fromm’s biography who forwent his Jewish roots for an atheistic position in the Marxist tradition. The main body of this book is a translation of some of Marx’s economic and philosophic manuscripts. These were translated by T.B. Bottomore of the London School of Economics and Political Science. Fromm comments on those works and offers separately statements about Marx that were published by family and colleagues who knew him.
Perhaps the point Fromm puts the most effort into within his arguments is how one cannot judge Marx’s ideas by the applications that resulted in government systems such as in Russia, China, or Cuba. What makes that position difficult for this reviewer is that as one reads the actual words of Marx, these particular examples certainly line up philosophically. The actual economic policies each has adopted vary some, but not so much as Fromm tries to express. He tries to show how the Soviets for example distory Marxian theory. Though he makes some reasoned arguments, he really does not directly show examples where such philosophies differ so much as individual policy application when the practical use of Marxist theories prove unworkable in real life. Such positions seem less to support Marx’s specific views as they stand for evidence to counter his views. Fromm’s focus tends to be about Marx’s humanist views and his arguments against religion, even any sort of religious belief. His support for secularism goes beyond secular government and reaches into secularism within the lives of individuals.
The other argument Erich Fromm tends to point to is about western ignorance of the basic tenants of Marxist views. Indeed, most Americans I would think do not have a deep understanding of the Marxist political and philosophical sophistry. Even someone like me with only a cursory study could not claim the sort of insights a Marxist scholar might. On the other hand, most do have some idea of the overarching differences between a Communist and capitalist system, even if the variations of socialism and communism might be lost on many of us.
If one has an academic curiosity to understand some Marxist philosophical arguments there are some insights her, but take it with a grain of salt. It’s clear Fromm has a specific position so his reasonings are guided by that position.
Fromm, E. (1966). Marx's Concept of Man. New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co.
It’s clear in this work that Erich Fromm is a Marx apologist, or maybe better said advocate. There is a portion of the work that deals with Fromm’s biography who forwent his Jewish roots for an atheistic position in the Marxist tradition. The main body of this book is a translation of some of Marx’s economic and philosophic manuscripts. These were translated by T.B. Bottomore of the London School of Economics and Political Science. Fromm comments on those works and offers separately statements about Marx that were published by family and colleagues who knew him.
Perhaps the point Fromm puts the most effort into within his arguments is how one cannot judge Marx’s ideas by the applications that resulted in government systems such as in Russia, China, or Cuba. What makes that position difficult for this reviewer is that as one reads the actual words of Marx, these particular examples certainly line up philosophically. The actual economic policies each has adopted vary some, but not so much as Fromm tries to express. He tries to show how the Soviets for example distory Marxian theory. Though he makes some reasoned arguments, he really does not directly show examples where such philosophies differ so much as individual policy application when the practical use of Marxist theories prove unworkable in real life. Such positions seem less to support Marx’s specific views as they stand for evidence to counter his views. Fromm’s focus tends to be about Marx’s humanist views and his arguments against religion, even any sort of religious belief. His support for secularism goes beyond secular government and reaches into secularism within the lives of individuals.
The other argument Erich Fromm tends to point to is about western ignorance of the basic tenants of Marxist views. Indeed, most Americans I would think do not have a deep understanding of the Marxist political and philosophical sophistry. Even someone like me with only a cursory study could not claim the sort of insights a Marxist scholar might. On the other hand, most do have some idea of the overarching differences between a Communist and capitalist system, even if the variations of socialism and communism might be lost on many of us.
If one has an academic curiosity to understand some Marxist philosophical arguments there are some insights her, but take it with a grain of salt. It’s clear Fromm has a specific position so his reasonings are guided by that position.
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