Humanism in times of crisis
On the topicality of the German-American Erich Fromm
Erich Fromm would have been 125 years old on March 23. The most important ideas of the world-famous social psychologist and psychoanalyst were developed during and after his studies in Heidelberg. It was here that he developed theories on how the irrational behavior of many people can be explained psychologically and how destructive social developments can be counteracted. The Nazi regime forced the scientist, who had been socialized as a Jew, to emigrate to the USA in 1934, where he became the most important psychoanalyst in society within a few years.
The half-day event deals with the significance and topicality of the scientist and humanist Erich Fromm for the present day: Which socio-psychological findings and humanistic convictions provide orientation in the current crisis-ridden developments in politics and society?
Program:
14:00 – 15:00
Jürgen Hardeck
Analytical social psychology and humanistic socialism
Like Karl Marx, Erich Fromm always believed that we must not only interpret the world, but also change it. He attempted to do this with his globally successful books, but also with decades of socio-political commitment based on a deep humanism. Prof. Hardeck provides an insight into the rather unknown life of the activist Erich Fromm, who can still be a role model today.
Prof. Dr. Jürgen HardeckStudied Comparative Religious Studies, Philosophy and Sinology at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn; State Secretary for Culture of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate. 1st Chairman of the International Erich Fromm Society e.V.
15:00 hrs Coffee break
15:30 – 16:30
Gesine Schwan
Humanism and the desire for destruction
The current desire for destruction (also known as disruption) stands in contrast to humanism.Does Fromm give any clues as to where it comes from? Does Schumpeter’s “creative destruction in capitalism” play a role? How can it be countered from a humanist analysis and perspective?
Prof. Dr. Gesine Schwan is a political scientist, currently President of the “Berlin Governance Platform” and Chair of the SPD Basic Values Commission.
16:30 – 18:00
Rainer Funk
Humanism and crisis management. Erich Fromm’s scientific justification of human potentials
The crisis-ridden escalation of the Cold War at the beginning of the 1960s led Fromm to question not only the roots of human destructiveness, but also the potential for a successful life. The lecture will first summarize the roots of Fromm’s humanistic thinking and then discuss Fromm’s scientific justification of humanism and apply it to current social and political problems.
Dr. Rainer Funk is a psychoanalyst and director of the Erich Fromm Institute in Tübingen, which houses Fromm’s library and scientific estate. As the administrator of Fromm’s rights and estate, he has edited his writings and publishes mainly on contemporary socio-psychological issues.
