Humanism contested: Four Frommian responses to feminist critique, antihumanism, posthumanism, and transhumanism.
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In this article, I will analyze how Erich Fromm’s humanism responds to the relatively recent criticism that humanism has faced. To accomplish this, I will address four challenges: antihumanism, transhumanism, posthumanism, and feminism. My main argument is that criticism of humanism in general can be countered using Fromm’s humanistic theories and ideals. I argue that humanism has been wrongly or inadequately accused of various horrors based on shallow premises and flawed arguments. Even when the criticism is valuable and challenges traditional humanism, Fromm’s interpretation of this philosophical tradition can address these accusations. The article’s main research question is how Fromm’s humanism overcomes the aforementioned forms of criticism. Additionally, are any of the critical accusations still relevant to Fromm’s writings? Most importantly, are there critical questions to which Fromm cannot respond? I will argue that, while Fromm’s personal opinions may have been problematic on certain issues, his theoretical framework is stronger. In the broader sense, his theories help us overcome issues that he may have personally neglected.
Source: The Humanistic Psychologist
DOI: 10.1037/hum0000399
Author: Jarno Hietalahti
Language: English
Subfield: Cultural Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4414860759
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