Criticism and Ethics in Erich Fromm's Social-psychology

Abstract

After Escape Fromm Freedom was published we have neglected the potential of Erich Fromm's social-psychology as Critical Theory. This article aims at the reconstruction of his thought about modernity (Moderne). Marcuse and other Frankfurters criticized the ethical trend which his social theory assumes. But in Fromm's view criticizing the depressing structure of modernity and constructing the ethics of reason can never be separated. Why did he hold on the hope for reason ? In this paper we try to answer this question throwing light on the philosophical relationship between reason and nature in Fromm's thought which is rooted in Spinozism.