On Disobedience: Why Freedom Means Saying "no" to Power (Harperperennial Modern Thought)

I'm a big fan of Eric Fromm and regreat having over looked this book until now, the edition I'm reviewing is a 1984 copy from Routledge and Kegan Paul (I really hope that it could possibly be in line for republication in the Routledge Classics series as it really deserves to be).As the foreword states this book collects articles into a single volume which where published elsewhere as books and magazine pieces. The writing style and core concepts will be familiar to anyone who has read Fromm before now, also summarised well in the foreword:"Eric Fromm formulated in these essays what it means to be obedient to human nature and to the goal of a humane society, and to be disobedient to all sorts of idols and political ideologies. His reasoning is still relevant today. This disobedience to conformism and a critical stand against common "non-sense" should still be our main objective."The contents are a mix of philosophy, politics and psychology, standard to fromm, and break down as follows;i. Disobedience as a psychological and moral problemii. The application of humanist psychoanalysis to Marx's theoryiii. Prophets and priestsiv. Humanism as a global philosophy of manv. Let man prevailvi. Humanist Socialismvii. The psychological aspects of the guaranteed incomeviii. The case for unilateral disarmamentix. The psychological problems of agingx. On the theory and strategy of peaceThe chapters in this book which may threaten to be more dull, such as the application of humanist psycho-analysis to Marx's theory dont prove to be so. While it is an essay from a different era, it characterises Fromm's unique concern to popularise and clarify Marx as Fromm understood him and gives a real insight into Fromm's thinking. It is also a pretty clear exposition of marxist humanism.The essay on Humanist Socialism is a pretty interesting conceptualisation of some of the core values of socialism which have not been well conceptualised since. While the essay on guaranteed income, which is briefly mentioned in both  To Have or to be?  and  The Sane Society (Routledge Classics) , is an excellent exposition of a marginal economic and political idea, more recently favoured not simply by left wing radicals but also free marketeers and libertarians, see  Against the Flow  and  In Our Hands: A Plan to Replace the Welfare State .This will particularly appeal to fans of Fromm's To Have or To Be? Since it is such a mix of proposals for structural and character change with Fromm's psychological, philosophical and quasi-theological precepts.I would also recommend it to any fans of Bertrand Russell, particularly his pacifist books, or Albert Schweitzer, whose books promoting a reverence for life closely mirror Fromm's concerns and philosophy. On the other hand I would hope that anyone could read Fromm and enjoy his writing as much as I have, his books brim with hope and optimism.Students beware, a possible criticism of this book is the omission of an index.

Dont be deceived by the title of this book! It starts out with a few interesting points but quickly spirals away from 'disobedience' and the capacity to doubt and criticise into a deluge of pro-socialism propaganda.

Fromm as always challenging our thought, with clear easy to read and accessible writing.

Really enjoyed Fromms discussion on the place of disobedience in human development.

This book is only half a book really, if even that.I had a copy of "On Disobedience and other essays" from the 1980s which contains the contents of this book (essays Disobedience as a psychological and moral problem; Prophets and priests; Let Man Prevail; Humanist Socialism) and much more (The application of humanist psychoanalysis to Marx's Theory; Humanism as a Global Philosophy of Man; The psychological aspects of the guaranteed income; The case for unilateral disarmament; The psychological problems of aging; On the Theory and Strategy of Peace).With the arranged essays here it is possible to form some opinions and reach some conclusions about Fromm's own humanistic interpretations of religious and psychological theoretical traditions, including his own, and his politics, which is great and I really commend to confirmed Fromm readers or general readers alike.Although the omissions of some of the other essays does detract from the overall good of the book, hunt down one of the earlier publications, the two essays, one on the idea of a guaranteed annual income (which as a replacement for tax funded state provision of goods and services has its supporters among free marketeer policy pundits and economists these days) and another on aging are absolute over looked gems.Neither of these essays are likely to have the appeal of the "greater themes" of Fromm, for firm fans or new comers to this writing alike, but the are timely reading for anyone living in countries like the UK which are experiencing demographic shifts and controlled by politicians prepared for radical rethinks and restructuring of jobs and benefits. I also think that there is something about Fromm's writing on topics like this which is overlooked, he can do the bracing, prophetic and championing grand visionary designs the very best but he can just as well do more mundane, pragmatic and reforming topics too.This condensed collection is a small and a short book, it has a contents and no index, it could fit easily into a cargo pants or coat pocket and the graphic design makes me think it is aimed or marketed at a target audience of younger or possibly student readership. Very well, so far as neatly packaged philosophical tracts for younger readers perhaps wrestling with ideas about themselves, the world they inhabit and what would is the good to be aimed at in possible change in their life time this would not go very far wrong. Hopefully reading it would be a spring board to reading more of Fromm's other essays, including the ones I mentioned, some of the other books in the series, like Schumpeter and Kirkegaard, mentioned at the back of the book are fine too.

Great for whoever is searching for an emancipatory read!

The first one, never showed up in my mail box. I had to reorder. I like Eric Fromm. I have his Art of Loving book. I know I will like this one. If they say they left it in the mail box due double check. I think someone stole mine. But I don't know why. It is not like the book is very expensive.I am glad I add another to my collection of Eric Fromm.

If you have ever been in a sadistically violent, destructive, abusive master/slave relationship you will understand precisely what this author says is true.A must read. 5*'s.

My professor presented this as all one book, yours might as well. It's not. It's a collection of essays, in approximate order. There's no coherent theme, chronological or otherwise.That said, the subject matter is an excellent explanation of the ethos of socialism.

Reading it again, Excellent work

Loveeeee Erich Fromm's essays on disobedience. It provides some thought provoking messages for the reader to digest and analyze their perspectives on the issues involving power.

great

Excellent book!!Erich Fromm has the courage and clarity of mind to talk about uncomfortable truths.