Lust for Power

The lust for power is not rooted in strength but in weakness. It is the expression of the inability of the individual self to stand alone and live. It is the desperate attempt to gain secondary strength where genuine strength is lacking. The word power has a twofold meaning. One is the possession of power over somebody, the ability to dominate him; the other meaning is the possession of power to do something, to be able. The latter meaning has nothing to do with domination; it expresses mastery in the sense of ability.

― Erich Fromm, The Fear of Freedom

Quick Book Review: The Fear of Freedom

The Fear of Freedom by Erich Fromm







Supplementary Review

It was a comfort while reading this book by Fromm, since what he was addressing on this book is timely even in the present times.

Fromm approached the theme of freedom on a multi-perspective basis, drawing insights from historical events, religious dogmas, economic movements, socio-biological and anthropological relationships, and psychological phenomena in understanding how in humanity's quest for freedom and individuality, the price paid is the burden of isolation and alienation - if he has no genuine end on what to do with his new-found 'freedom'. Which then results in a back-and-forth process of seeking back the lost sense of belongingness through submission to a higher authority exemplified in the sado-masochistic personality - a seemingly contradictory characteristic of individuals who seek domination over others and/or submission to someone/something higher in authority.

What is striking was Fromm's drawing of examples from personalities who exhibited these negative characteristics of sadism and masochism from each of the aforementioned perspectives: Luther and Calvin, Hitler - and examined them on the context of their work and the impact they made on whom they exerted influence to.

The mechanism of the new market seemed to resemble the Calvinistic doctrine of predestination, which taught that the individual must make every effort to be good, but that even before his birth, it had been decided whether or not he is to be saved.  

The Scream by Edvard Munch

His view of the phenomena of humanity's alienation and finding ways to escape from the burden of freedom was deeply depressing because he forces the reader to confront the facts, especially on humanity's inability to take responsibility for oneself by either resorting to domination or subjugation. 

Neighborhood Walk

Just before the sun was about to set last Wednesday, I invited my sister in law to join me for a walk around the neighborhood. It's also along these tree-lined streets that I practice driving during late afternoons. The sun sets and casts its shadows on the fast-growing grass and trees with yellow golden showers. The place is calm and few cars pass by, so it's an ideal place to walk and breathe in the fresh air and contemplate.

To Have or To Be?

Meadow

Meet Meadow, a lost and found kitty and a new friend of Long-tail Baby. She was found last week Saturday and has not yet recovered from teary eyes and runny nose.

Meanwhile, bougainvilleas and roses start to bloom again around the house.

While LT hangs around the garden,

I make splashes of water to cool down a hot-weathered afternoon.

There is perhaps no phenomenon which contains so much destructive feeling as 'moral indignation,' which permits envy or hate to be acted out under the guise of virtue.

- Erich Fromm

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.