What are your thoughts on this quote?

Oh I agree!
At the very least very disappointed!

Not sure ‘responsive’ is the word I would have used. Perhaps “caring” or “sensitive” would have been better for Fromm to use.

But I think the additional questions is this: Is he referring to now (2024) where things are particularly grim?

Or was he making the statement for all of history, in which case I would disagree.

This statement, by itself and without context, doesn’t mean very much to me.

Do you mean Erich Fromm, the German-American psychologist born in 1900?

I like this one, “The danger of the past was that men became slaves. The danger of the future is that men may become robots.”

@elbanditoroso I was curious, about the implications of the statement.
Many people suggest, for example, that artists are more likely to be “tortured souls.”

Perhaps something along the lines of people who don’t suffer often, aren’t as likely to write relatable lyrics, or couldn’t be the person they are without adversity.

Fromm, died in 1980. He was not, in my mind, speaking of any particular time or place.
More of the nature of existence.

It’s a quote I read many years ago.
It has been something that I tell people, when they are going through repeatedly unfortunate times.

It’s something that I have told myself, when at my weakest, or most hurt.

@smudges Yes, the same person. He had a LOT to say, about “the human condition,” I suppose I would say.

I have turned over every stone in life, looking for guidance, or purpose.
I find myself coming back, to Fromm, when I face consistent bad news.

As with any philosophical concept, it is open to interpretation.

The context, to me, can vary from one individual, to another.

I guess I’m asking “are we ‘supposed’ to suffer?”
Despite the pain, and frustration, we may not want to be the person we would be, without adversity.

I think Fromm meant “involved,” in regards to “responsive.”

The quote, to me, runs very deep.

Small world view.

@MrGrimm888 Sounds like you’d like Nietzsche. The quotation, “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering,” is from his book titled “Twilight of the Idols,” specifically from a section called “The Problem of Socrates.”

I look into my personal issues and suffering, but leave the bigger issues of mankind’s suffering to others. Nothing can be proven, and they hadn’t even heard of neurochemicals in those time periods. I don’t find pleasure in mental massage simply for the sake of it, which is not to say I can’t identify with many quotes and philosophies.

To m it means to deeply be engaged of the world that you must be wiling to be open to the sadness that comes along with understand the human condition.

There is far too much happening in the world these days and it is all happening too quickly. “Saddened” is no longer the appropriate word. “Frightened” is better.

@SnipSnip I gave you a GA, hoping you might expound.