What is it about?
The social psychologist and humanist Erich Fromm added an important psychological perspective to the idea of Renaissance and Enlightenment humanism. Instead of seeing what is unconscious primarily as the results of repressions, Fromm understands the unconscious as the universal human being with all facets of human potential. These potentials, however, only become conscious to the extent that social filters enable them to become conscious.
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Why is it important?
The efficacy of humanism is not determined by a commitment to humanistic values, but rather by the question of whether humanistic values are actually lived out. It is precisely this question that Fromm answers with his psychology and his understanding of the unconscious. This important question is explored in this article with the help of Fromm's insights.
Perspectives
In times of post- and transhumanism, when technical creativity seeks to replace human creativity, the question of lived humanism arises anew. This can be substantiated with Fromm's understanding of humanism.
Rainer Funk
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This page is a summary of: Erich Fromm’s psychological concept of humanism., The Humanistic Psychologist, September 2025, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/hum0000396.
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