Discuss Fromm's basic assumptions about personality and include his three existential dichotomies.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

A. Fromm's most fundamental assumption is that individual personality can be understood only in the light of human history.

B. Humans, unlike other animals, have been torn away from their prehistoric union with nature.

C. Having no powerful instincts to adapt to the world, humans have had to acquire the ability to reason. Fromm called this condition the "human dilemma."

D. The humans ability to reason sets up three existential dichotomies to which people must react according to their individual personalities.

E. The first existential dichotomy is that between life and death. Although we desire life, our ability to reason tells us that we will die.

F. Second, we are capable of setting goals for individual growth that we know we can never reach.

G. Third, we recognize that we are ultimately alone, yet we cannot tolerate isolation.