“Man is not born free. He is born with the capacity for freedom; but this capacity remains dormant as long as he does not exercise it. The use of freedom is like learning to read. Man must learn to exercise his freedom; it is not given to him automatically, and the development of his capacity for freedom runs parallel to his development as a person.”
—
Erich Fromm
The Art of Loving (1956), Harper & Row; also Escape from Freedom (1941)
Commentary
Fromm argues that freedom is a capacity requiring cultivation. Many people, born into societies with formal liberty, lack the psychological capacity to use it meaningfully. They regress into authoritarianism or mass conformity because authentic freedom is psychologically demanding.
This connects psychological and political analysis. Fascism appealed to Germans partly because it relieved them of the burden of freedom. Without education, self-knowledge, and solidarity, nominal freedom becomes burdensome. Fromm's insight influenced later critical psychology and social analysis.
Commentary
Fromm argues that freedom is a capacity requiring cultivation. Many people, born into societies with formal liberty, lack the psychological capacity to use it meaningfully. They regress into authoritarianism or mass conformity because authentic freedom is psychologically demanding.
This connects psychological and political analysis. Fascism appealed to Germans partly because it relieved them of the burden of freedom. Without education, self-knowledge, and solidarity, nominal freedom becomes burdensome. Fromm's insight influenced later critical psychology and social analysis.