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Chapter 6: Problem 10

How might a destructive (and unusually introspective) terrorist use Fromm's ideas to make bet ter decisions and live a more fulfilling life?

Short Answer

Expert verified
A destructive but introspective terrorist could quite possibly leverage Fromm's theories by realizing his destructive behaviour might be an escape from freedom, by blindly following destructive ideologies. Acknowledging this, he could embrace freedom through rejection of such ideologies, and understand the importance of love and empathy for a healthier life. His introspective nature could trigger self-analysis of his actions, aiding better decision-making and a more fulfilling life.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Fromm's theories

Fromm’s major theme was freedom and its effects on human nature. He also emphasized love as a part of productive and healthy life. First, understand these theories in context. Fromm believed that freedom was an aspect of human nature that we either embrace or escape. He suggested that embracing freedom, though daunting, is positive and yields changes and growth while escaping freedom through conforming or submitting to other's expectations, is negative.
02

Applying Fromm’s Theories to the Subject

Applying these theories to a terrorist, who is also introspective, can be challenging. However, if the terrorist is introspective, that means he might be self-analyzing his actions. With the application of Fromm's theories, he could realize that his destructive actions may be a result of escaping from freedom, which in this case means following the ideologies of a destructive group or cause. This realization could lead to the next step towards making better decisions.
03

Cognizance and Change

With this new insight, the terrorist can now decide to embrace the positive aspect of freedom by rejecting the destructive ideologies he has been following. This would lead to positive changes in his behavior. Also, understanding the importance of love in leading a productive and healthy life as per Fromm, he can begin to adopt loving behaviors and reject violence or destruction.
04

Living a Fulfilling Life

With these changes, the terrorist may begin to feel more fulfilled as he follows the positive aspect of freedom and embraces love, replacing destructive behaviors with more constructive ones. He might also decide to use his introspective nature to keep analyzing his actions and emotions, helping him to continuously grow and make better decisions in life.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Give an example from your own life, from the life of someone you know well, or from fiction to illustrate: (a) the receptive orientation; (b) the exploitative orientation; (c) the hoarding orientation; (d) the marketing orientation; (e) the productive orientation.

According to Fromm, "one must believe that loving parents are the exception, rather than the rule." Why might he have reached such a pessimistic conclusion?

A terrorist blows up a building in a hated foreign country. How might Fromm explain the terrorist's behavior?

According to Adler, it is all too possible to deny our predisposition for social interest and become neurotically self-centered. Fromm argues that we must overcome our innate narcissistic tendencies in order to develop healthy and mature love. Does the difference in terminology between Adler and Fromm reflect important theoretical differences?

Fromm argues that "destructiveness is the outcome of unlived life." Freud contends that destructiveness occurs because we fail to sublimate our illicit instincts. since both theorists agree that we are destructive, why is this theoretical difference important?
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