The phenomenological perspective: lecture 2

Question 1

Erich Fromm thought humans were unique because..

Answer 1

1. are a part of nature and yet transcend
2. cannot ‘be lived’ they ‘must live’
3. are ‘free’ but yearn for security of ‘non-freedom’

Question 2

Human motivation

Answer 2

1. solutions to the contradictions of existence
2. higher forms of unity with nature, fellow humans, and the self

Question 3

contradictions of existence includes…

Answer 3

1. born into a world where death is certain but want to live forever
2. there are many paths but forced to choose few
3. can’t stand being alone but stuck in our brains

Question 4

Existential human needs

Answer 4

1. relatedness
2. transcendence
3. rootedness
4. sense of identity
5. frame of orientation

Question 5

relatedness

Answer 5

a. submission
b. power
c. love

Question 6

love

Answer 6

spontaneous sharing and communion with the freedom to be unique and separate, and to strengthen the self

Question 7

transcendence

Answer 7

a. creating (strengthen self)
b. destroying (combat aloneness)

Question 8

rootedness

Answer 8

establish roots and feel at home again in the world
a. fixation (combat aloneness)
b. wholeness (strengthen self)

Question 9

sense of identity

Answer 9

a. conformity (combat aloneness)
b. individuality (strengthen self)

Question 10

frame of orientation

Answer 10

a. irrational goals (combat aloneness)
b. Rational goals (strengthen self)

Question 11

authoritarianism

Answer 11

1. that everyone think and act exactly the same way
2. those who don’t do so, should be forced to submit against their will
3. willingness to destroy those dissenters and all that they represent