Summary of Erich Fromm – Der passive Mensch

00:00:00 - 00:25:00

Erich Fromm discusses the concept of passivity, and how it can lead to negative consequences in our lives. He argues that too much consumption is related to passive behavior, and that this has ramifications for the way we live our lives.

• 00:00:00 The video discusses the difference between " Überfluss " and " Überflüssigkeit ," and how these concepts can be applied to our everyday lives. The speaker explains that, in some cases, " Überfluss " can mean having too much, while " Überflüssigkeit " can mean being unnecessary or wasteful. The speaker then goes on to discuss the concept of " Überfluss zum überdruss ," which refers to when a person's excessive behaviour leads to negative consequences. He concludes the video by discussing the possible consequences of living in an over-indulgent society.
• 00:05:00 Erich Fromm discusses the different ways in which people study the human condition, with a focus on the academic discipline of psychology. He explains that the two main approaches to studying human behavior are the scientific approach, which focuses on observable behaviors and measurements, and the clinical approach, which focuses on understanding behavior from a humanistic perspective. He gives several examples of human behaviors that can be studied scientifically and clinically, and points out the difference between a smile on the part of a salesperson and a smile from a friend. He then goes on to discuss the third approach, the tiefenpsychologische (depth psychological) approach, which focuses on understanding behavior from a deeper, more psychological perspective. This approach examines the underlying motives behind a behavior, rather than just the behavior itself. Fromm discusses the various levels of understanding that can be achieved through psychological analysis, and concludes with a discussion of the power of psychological observation.
• 00:10:00 Erich Fromm discusses the concept of consumerism, or the compulsion to consume more and more in order to feel satisfied. He explains that this compulsion is not natural, and that it is a problem because it can lead to financial ruin. He provides an example of a person who is addicted to consumerism, and describes how it is not simply a matter of having a lot of money; the individual must also have a compulsion to consume in order to feel satisfied.
• 00:15:00 Erich Fromm argues that too much weight causes physical and emotional problems, due to the body's response to a sense of excessive weight. Many reasons for this can be related to hormones, such as changes in the production of enzymes that control weight. However, often the reasons for someone's weight problems stem from a habitual desire to eat sweets or eat in a way that expresses the feeling of being overwhelmed. People who are overweight often feel anxious and depressed, and may try to alleviate these feelings by eating or buying things compulsively. By understanding this connection between weight and mental health, we can better understand why people become overweight in the first place and how to help them manage their weight in a healthy way.
• 00:20:00 The video discusses the concept of "passivity," or the act of doing nothing in order to achieve a desired outcome. The modern popular conception of "active" is one where every action is driven by a specific goal, requiring observable physical or mental effort. "Passive" is when something is "done" but no tangible results are seen. This can be seen as a person who spends their day in a chair, watching television, or browsing the Internet; doing nothing in particular but passively absorbing information. There are many different cultures and religions with different ways of practicing meditation, all of which are considered "passive."
• 00:25:00 Erich Fromm discusses the difference between active and passive behavior, and the problems with being passive in today's society. He argues that too much consumption is related to passive behavior, and that this has ramifications for the way we live our lives.