Meditation And Differentiation On Fromm's Alienation Theory

The word alienation, which has origin in Latin, has the same connotation with demisability, transference, estrangement, separation, mental disorder, etc. Afterwards, different philosophers have defined the alienation in diversified ways. Hobbs applied the word alienation in the discussion of rights transference;Hegel believes that alienation is the externalization of absolute mind;Marx's theory of alienation is mainly about alienation in laboring process;Lucach considers alienation as materialization;and Fromm proposes that modern society is mainly an alienated society.Fromm insists that Freud puts too much emphasis on human beings' physical instincts in disregard of his sociality. However Marx highlights human beings' sociality but neglects human being's inner world. On the basis of a critical inheritance of Freud's theory and Marxism, the great philosopher has formed the philosophy of his own.With the constant humanity as his theoretical basis, Fromm has developed his theory system. In it, humanity is regarded as the instincts of human beings, the common wealth shared and good qualities embodied by each single human being. While humanity refers to human beings' biological needs, it more importantly signifies their spiritual needs. Fromm's theory on humanity is abstract in terms of its historicity and mentalism aspects.Fromm declares that the developed industrial society is full of different kinds of alienation in humanity. It permeates in arenas of politics, economy, social relationships, production process as well as consumption process. It's concluded that Fromm's alienation theory is fundamentally differently from Marx's labor alienation theory in terms of the concept itself, the origin on alienation and the elimination of alienation.Deeply rooted in his humanity theory and alienation theory, Fromm advocates the appropriate way for the full development of our society. Reforms must be carried out in economy, politics, culture, mentality and value-orientation in the process of creating a sound society.