#33 Man Is Not A Thing

In 1957, German psychologist and psychoanalyst Erich Fromm published the article “Man Is Not A Thing.” In it, he cautioned against the increasing influence of contemporary psychologists in capitalistic societies, whose primary aim was to understand customers to manipulate them. Today, almost 70 years later, we embrace and celebrate an economic system that promotes objectification. We have been taught that we must achieve (become) something to be somebody.

And I cannot help but wonder what Erich Fromm would think about our society today.

The Problem of Objectification in Society

As humans, we possess an innate desire to comprehend the world and everything it encompasses, including our fellow humans and ourselves. This urge leads us to analyze and conceptualize our behavior, desires, dreams, and fears. Driven by the persistent question of why we are the way we are.

The field of psychology is devoted to exploring the question of knowing who we are. However, Fromm points out that this pursuit also has dangerous and destructive aspects, as he wrote:

Erich Fromm; "Man Is Not A Thing"

When we continuously collect data about ourselves, meticulously track every step, and analyze every thought, we reduce ourselves to mere things. And as long as we believe we can explain and describe our essence using logic and analytics, we deprive ourselves of the recognition as human beings.

In these ways, we choose to treat ourselves as objects, as things, rather than embracing our humanity.

Because:

Erich Fromm; "Man Is Not A Thing"

The Complexity of Being Human

We are deeply flawed. And we are undeniably weird creatures.

We are irrational, illogical, and moody beings. We are unpredictable, and each individual possesses a distinct and unique emotional package. As a result, fully comprehending every aspect of our being becomes an impossible task.

But it is this complexity that defines our humanity.

Our intricate nature and unpredictability can be intimidating, leading us to construct illusions about ourselves. We assign titles and roles to impose a sense of order and certainty upon our lives.

Yet these roles - these personae - are merely paths we adopt to align ourselves with society, providing comfort in daily living. Nevertheless, choosing this path won’t leave you feeling fully alive but rather caught in a state of being half alive and half dead.

To live fully, you must find the “courage to be.”

The Role of Love in Understanding Ourselves

So, how can we know who we are and how to be?

According to Erich Fromm, one way is:

Through Love.

Erich Fromm; "Man Is Not A Thing"

Fusion means combining different elements into a unified whole. And through this unity, a natural understanding arises.

When you know without knowing. When you feel without being able to measure or analyze. When you understand without comprehending.

Loving and becoming one with another is a challenging and scary endeavor. Achieving this fusion requires overcoming the illusion one holds about oneself, removing all masks, breaking through all shells, and shedding every layer that hides our real selves.

Nobody teaches us how to do this today. We’ve become roles and personae, mere things. And things are unable to love, unable to truly be.

It´s on us to withstand the desire to analyze ourselves and to be and love instead.

Why Is It So Hard To Love?

Humans are incredibly difficult to deal with.

We can hardly manage ourselves most of the time, so it’s no wonder that merging with another person and experiencing love becomes a double-trouble endeavor.

The capricious and unpredictable behavior of humans is time-consuming and error-prone. Love requires constant adaptation and change, making us inefficient and volatile. We are moody and needy. We are chaotic, wild, and untameable.

In contrast, “things” are much more straightforward. Things can be analyzed, exchanged, upgraded, and modified according to our needs. While dealing with humans can be incredibly challenging, handling “things” is easy.

However, to truly be human and experience love, one must consciously choose to be nothing. This is scary. But it remains the only genuine path. Ultimately, all you can do is hope that the other person is not a sadist but, like you, a human being capable of love.

Becoming nothing is now more difficult than ever before. In today’s world, the pressure to become something is celebrated and indoctrinated early on.

Modern times offer us access to unlimited knowledge and seemingly endless possibilities. However, it’s a double-edged sword. As you strive to become something, you risk losing touch with your humanity.

I Am Not A Thing

I am not a thing.

I am a human being, deeply flawed but able to love.

In the Western world, where life unfolds as an ever-evolving game of infinite possibilities to be something, I proudly stand on the lonely side of the arena. Instead of chasing things, I choose hugs and giggles. My true humanity awakens when I can be silly and playful, when I feel grounded and loved.

I find life’s real treasures in the moments of real human interactions, and I wouldn’t trade my humanity for all the Prada shoes in the world!

I am not a thing.