Introduction
In his thought-provoking book "To Have Or To Be?", renowned psychoanalyst and social philosopher Erich Fromm challenges our society's obsession with possession and consumption. He argues that our focus on "having" - accumulating wealth, status, and material goods - is fundamentally misguided and leads to widespread unhappiness and social dysfunction. Instead, Fromm proposes a radical shift towards a mode of "being" - living authentically, developing our inner selves, and relating to the world in a more meaningful way.
Written in the 1970s, Fromm's insights remain strikingly relevant today, as we grapple with issues like rampant consumerism, environmental destruction, and a growing sense of alienation despite material abundance. This book offers a compelling vision for how we might reimagine our lives and our society to prioritize human flourishing over endless acquisition.
The Problem with the "Having" Mode
Fromm begins by diagnosing what he sees as the core problem of modern industrial societies: an overemphasis on "having" as the primary mode of existence. In the having mode, we define ourselves by what we possess - our money, our job titles, our houses and cars, even our relationships and knowledge. We constantly strive to acquire more, believing that having more will make us happier and more fulfilled.
But this pursuit of having paradoxically leaves us feeling empty and dissatisfied. No matter how much we accumulate, it's never enough. We're trapped on a hedonic treadmill, always chasing the next purchase or achievement that we think will finally make us content. This leads to widespread anxiety, depression, and a nagging sense that something is missing from our lives.
The having mode also warps our relationships with others. We start to view people as objects to be acquired and controlled rather than as subjects to connect with authentically. Love becomes possessive rather than giving. Even our opinions and beliefs become rigid possessions that we cling to defensively rather than holding lightly.
At a societal level, the having mode fuels greed, exploitation, and conflict. It concentrates wealth and power in the hands of a few while leaving many others struggling. It drives us to pillage the natural world in pursuit of resources and growth. Fromm argues that many of history's wars have ultimately been driven by greed and the desire to possess more.
The "Being" Mode as an Alternative
In contrast to the having mode, Fromm proposes the "being" mode as a healthier and more fulfilling way to live. In the being mode, we focus on fully experiencing and expressing our authentic selves rather than on accumulating external markers of success. We prioritize growth, creativity, and meaningful relationships over acquisition and status-seeking.
Some key characteristics of the being mode include:
- Living in the present moment rather than always grasping for the future
- Developing our inner capacities and talents
- Engaging in activities for their inherent joy and meaning, not external rewards
- Relating to others with genuine care and interest, not as objects to possess
- Remaining open to new ideas and experiences rather than rigidly clinging to fixed beliefs
- Finding fulfillment through giving and sharing rather than hoarding
- Cultivating inner qualities like love, reason, and creativity
Fromm argues that living in the being mode leads to greater happiness, self-actualization, and social harmony. We become more secure in our identities, less driven by insecurity and comparison. We can appreciate life's experiences without needing to own or control everything. Our relationships become more authentic and mutually enriching.
Importantly, Fromm doesn't advocate for total renunciation of possessions or complete detachment from the material world. He recognizes that we need a certain level of "having" to meet our basic needs. The key is to keep material concerns in proper perspective and not let them dominate our lives and identities.
Historical and Philosophical Context
Fromm situates his ideas within a long tradition of spiritual and philosophical thought that has recognized the perils of attachment to possessions. He cites teachings from the Buddha, Jesus, and medieval mystic Meister Eckhart that warn against greed and materialism. He also draws connections to Karl Marx's critique of alienation under capitalism.
At the same time, Fromm acknowledges that the having mode has become deeply entrenched in modern industrial societies, both capitalist and communist. He sees it as closely tied to the rise of market economies, consumerism, and what he calls the "marketing orientation" - a tendency to view ourselves as commodities to be sold on the personality market.
Fromm argues that while some degree of having is necessary and natural, it has grown far out of proportion in the modern world. Our economic and social systems have come to prioritize endless growth and consumption over human wellbeing and ecological sustainability. This leaves us spiritually impoverished even as we grow materially wealthy.
Impacts on Society and Human Relations
The dominance of the having mode, according to Fromm, has far-reaching negative impacts on how we relate to each other and organize our societies:
Politics and Leadership
When the having mode prevails, those in power tend to act selfishly to protect and expand their own wealth and status rather than serving the common good. Citizens become passive and apathetic, focused only on their private concerns rather than civic engagement. This allows exploitation and injustice to flourish unchecked.
Work and Economics
Work becomes merely a means to earn money rather than a source of meaning and self-expression. We judge jobs solely by their monetary rewards rather than their inherent value or fulfillment. This leaves many people feeling alienated and unfulfilled in their work lives.
Education
Learning is reduced to the accumulation of information to be possessed rather than a process of growth and discovery. Students focus on getting credentials and high grades rather than genuine understanding and development of their minds.
Relationships
Personal relationships become possessive and controlling rather than based on mutual growth and care. We try to mold others to fit our desires instead of appreciating them as they are. Love degenerates into a form of ownership.
Nature and Environment
We view the natural world as a resource to be conquered and exploited rather than as something we're intimately connected to. This fuels ecological destruction and puts our very survival at risk.
The Need for Radical Change
Given these deep-rooted problems, Fromm argues that minor reforms are not enough - we need a fundamental transformation of our society and our way of living. He calls for a "New Society" and a "New Man" (using the gendered language of his time) oriented around being rather than having.
This would involve major changes to our economic system, moving away from the pursuit of endless growth and towards what Fromm calls "humanized planning." The goal would be to meet everyone's authentic needs while living in balance with nature, rather than artificially stimulating desires to drive consumption.
It would require a shift in our concept of progress, focusing on qualitative improvements in human wellbeing rather than just quantitative increases in GDP and material output. Work would be reorganized to be more meaningful and participatory. Education would emphasize character development and creativity alongside practical skills.
Importantly, Fromm stresses that this transformation must happen both at the individual and societal level. We can't just change our personal attitudes while leaving oppressive social structures intact. Nor can we impose new social systems without a shift in human consciousness. The two must evolve together.
Barriers to Change
Fromm recognizes that this kind of radical change faces significant obstacles. Chief among these is our own fear of freedom and resistance to change. Even when we recognize the problems with our current way of life, we often cling to the familiar rather than venturing into the unknown. Like a prisoner who has grown accustomed to his cell, we can be reluctant to leave our comfortable but constrained existence.
There are also powerful vested interests that benefit from maintaining the status quo. Those who profit from endless consumption and growth will resist attempts to shift to a more balanced economic model. Our media and education systems continue to reinforce having-oriented values.
Additionally, the sheer momentum of our current social and economic systems makes them difficult to change. We've built up massive infrastructure and institutions around consumerism and materialism. Transforming these will take time and collective effort.
Paths Forward
Despite these challenges, Fromm remains cautiously optimistic about the possibility of change. He offers several suggestions for how we might begin to shift towards a being-oriented society:
Raise awareness about the problems with the having mode and the possibilities of the being mode. We need to challenge the dominant narratives that equate consumption with happiness.
Create opportunities for people to experience the fulfillment of the being mode, even in small ways. This could involve promoting activities like meditation, creative arts, or community service.
Gradually introduce economic reforms that prioritize meeting real human needs over artificial demand creation. This might include things like shorter work weeks, universal basic income, or limits on advertising.
Reform education to cultivate students' whole beings, not just their ability to absorb information and perform on tests.
Promote more participatory forms of democracy and workplace organization to give people a greater sense of agency and engagement.
Develop new measures of social progress that look at quality of life factors, not just economic output.
Encourage spiritual and philosophical exploration to help people find meaning beyond material success.
Fromm emphasizes that this transition needs to be gradual to avoid social and economic disruption. But he believes that as more people experience the benefits of the being mode, momentum for change will build.
Practical Implications
While much of Fromm's book focuses on big-picture social change, he also offers insights that individuals can apply to their own lives:
Regularly examine your motivations. Are you pursuing things because you truly value them or because you think having them will make you more worthy?
Practice mindfulness and presence. Train yourself to fully experience the present moment rather than always grasping for more.
Cultivate creativity and self-expression. Find ways to develop and share your unique gifts.
Nurture authentic relationships. Focus on genuine connection rather than trying to possess or control others.
Simplify your life. Let go of possessions and commitments that don't truly serve your wellbeing and growth.
Engage in activities for their inherent value, not external rewards. Rediscover the joy of learning, creating, and playing for its own sake.
Contribute to your community. Find fulfillment through giving and sharing rather than accumulating for yourself.
Develop your inner resources of love, reason, and creativity. These can never be taken from you.
Stay open and flexible in your thinking. Be willing to change your mind as you encounter new information and experiences.
Connect with nature. Cultivate a sense of belonging to the natural world rather than trying to dominate it.
By gradually shifting more of our energy and attention to being-mode activities, Fromm believes we can experience greater fulfillment even within the constraints of our current society.
Critiques and Limitations
While Fromm's ideas are powerful and thought-provoking, it's worth noting some potential criticisms and limitations:
His stark dichotomy between having and being modes can sometimes feel overly simplistic. In reality, most of us operate with a mix of both orientations in different areas of life.
Fromm's vision of social transformation may strike some as utopian or unrealistic given the entrenched nature of our economic and political systems.
His critique of technology and modernization occasionally veers into romanticizing pre-industrial societies in ways that gloss over their very real hardships and limitations.
Some of Fromm's ideas about gender and family structure reflect the biases of his time and may feel outdated to modern readers.
His analysis is primarily focused on affluent Western societies and may not fully account for the perspectives of those still struggling to meet basic material needs.
Despite these limitations, Fromm's core insights about the pitfalls of materialism and the need to ground our lives in more meaningful values remain deeply relevant.
Conclusion
"To Have Or To Be?" offers a radical but compelling vision for reimagining both our individual lives and our societies. By shifting our orientation from having to being, Fromm argues, we can find greater fulfillment, improve our relationships, and create a more just and sustainable world.
This transformation won't be easy. It requires us to question deeply held beliefs about success, progress, and the good life. It asks us to confront our fears and step into the unknown. But Fromm makes a powerful case that the rewards - a richer inner life, more authentic connections, and a society that truly serves human flourishing - are well worth the challenge.
In a world still grappling with the consequences of runaway consumerism and growth, Fromm's ideas offer a valuable perspective for imagining alternative ways of living and organizing our communities. Whether or not we fully embrace his vision of a being-oriented society, his invitation to examine our relationship to possession and identity remains deeply relevant.
By bringing greater awareness to how the having mode operates in our lives and consciously cultivating more being-oriented ways of engaging with ourselves, others, and the world, we open the door to a more meaningful and satisfying existence. In doing so, we may discover that the things that truly make life worth living were never objects to be possessed, but experiences to be fully lived.