Entrepreneurship & Humanism
Erich Fromm played a decisive role in my discovery of psychoanalysis. His works such as To Have or to Be, Escape from Freedom and The Art of Loving have strongly influenced my thinking and perception. I wondered what Erich Fromm would think about entrepreneurship, but from the perspective of the social and productive character? In this article, I try to follow up on these thoughts without claiming to be correct. Like a diary entry.
Erich Fromm was a renowned social psychologist and philosopher who delved deeply into the nature of humanity and its relationship with society. One of his significant contributions was the examination of various social characters that can exist in a society.
Entrepreneurship is a key concept in economics and refers to the ability and willingness to start, lead, and develop a business. It encompasses the skills to take risks, drive innovation, and take responsibility for business outcomes.
The connection between entrepreneurship and Erich Fromm's social characters could be made in the following way:
Devotion and Creativity: Entrepreneurs are often passionate and dedicated to their ideas. This dedication can be related to Fromm's concept of the "productive character." Individuals with a productive character are creative, seek solutions, and have a positive attitude towards work.
Risk-taking and Freedom: Entrepreneurs are often willing to take risks to achieve their goals. This can be linked to Fromm's idea of the "non-authoritarian character," which emphasizes the ability to be independent and take responsibility.
Social Responsibility: Fromm emphasized the importance of social responsibility for every individual. Entrepreneurs, especially those dedicated to social entrepreneurship, often strive to have a positive impact on the community. This aligns with Fromm's notion of a healthy, community-oriented character.
Self-Realization and Autonomy: Entrepreneurs often aim for self-realization and autonomy in their work. This corresponds to Fromm's concept of the "autonomous character," which emphasizes the ability for self-determination and individual development.
It's important to emphasize that this connection is interpretative and not necessarily a direct statement about Fromm's work. Instead, it is a way to integrate elements of entrepreneurship into Fromm's concept of social characters, while highlighting aspects such as dedication, risk-taking, social responsibility, and autonomy.