ipl-logo

Fromm's Disobedience As A Psychological And Moral Problem

1171 Words5 Pages

Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem Everyone thinks that disobeying is a bad thing however there are several situations where disobeying is the best and moral option. Mankind has been defined on disobedience until recently when everyone has put their trust in leaders poised for nuclear annihilation. As a result of such threats mankind should disobey for the greater good of mankind. This is conveyed well in the piece of writing as the author argued logically, used significant information of mankind disobeying and obeying, and by the use of interpreting information fairly to help convey the writer’s opinion. Summary Fromm’s essay describes how mankind began by an act of disobedience when Adam ate fruit from a forbidden tree. This …show more content…

Fromm describes how disobedience created humanity and it has even moved the human race into the atomic age. However, he states that if an act of disobedience created mankind, then can an act of obedience end mankind? Through fair interpretation this can be reasoned to be true as the essay quotes, “If mankind commits suicide it will be because people will obey those who command them to push the deadly buttons; because they will obey the archaic passions of fear, hate, and greed; because they will obey obsolete clichés of State sovereignty and national honor” (Fromm, 575). This statement is proven to be true as he states that in today’s world, a technological civilization is run by men and women who still think like primates. This means that an egotistic leader can end civilization just with the flick of a nuclear switch. However, the real call for launching a nuke comes down to two other men who either must obey or disobey the leader. If they obey then the world will be in trouble, but if they disobey then the world might just live another day. The fact is this type of logic is found throughout many countries. Therefore, this interpretation of information strengthens the overall essay and his argument. Personal Thought I believe that Fromm is right, and I do believe in his opinion. This is backed up by his capability of putting ideas into an essay and conveying those ideas. Such as the example of Adam and Eve, this makes sense that if they had not disobeyed then mankind would not exist, so disobedience is not as bad in certain context. The overall piece has made me think his argument is valid so therefore I believe in the writings main point that it is trying to get across.

Show More
Related
85 Words | 1 Pages

f one followed the similarities of King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience," they would notice that King may have been somewhat influenced by Thoreau's essay. The two essays also have many differences that are evident throughout analysis of the two essays that divide individual interpretation of each text. But it is obvious that the overall purpose of these two essays is to persuade the audiences that civil disobedience is necessary if there is social injustice in the government that governs over people.

Read More
192 Words | 1 Pages

In Erich Fromm’s “Disobedience As A Psychological And Moral Problem,” Fromm argues that most people don’t always obey their bosses, spouses, etc. He portrays that people that cannot obey, is a rebel and they feel that if they act out their anger, resentment on other people is the right thing to do; rather than obey and use the power of reason. In chronological order, he lists different examples like Adam & Eve and Prometheus; and how they handled the consequences after they disobeyed. After reading this article, I agree and disagree with the article, from personal experience with disobeying and obeying my bosses. People I have come across in my life state they feel that obeying a superior or spouse means that you are being a slave to what

Read More
1034 Words | 5 Pages

Disobedience can be defined as failure or refusal to obey rules or someone in authority. Disobedience can also be defined as causing a disarray within society and causing a shift in social normals to more perfectly suit the conditions of a community at a given time, in the sense that it promotes the questions of poor social norms, and the change in our mortal standards and by the progressive though of one’s own mind. Oscar Wilde argues that it can allow society to progress and to allow science about different or certain topics to be broken or misplaced, and the way that it counter our social norms instead of disobedience leading to be a negative human and societal trait in our very way of life. He also argues about how disobedience can lead

Read More
430 Words | 2 Pages

Disobedience is defined as the refusal or neglect to obey. Disobedience is everywhere. Let's say you are in line at Walmart and you see a little kid crying and crying over a toy that his mother will not buy for him. His mother is upset and is trying to straighten up her kid.

Read More
418 Words | 2 Pages

In his quote he says that disobedience is an honorable trait, and that it is “man's original virtue.” it is good and honorable in other cases, such as in Martin Luther King Jrs’ case mentioned before. There are many other cases where it is an unhonorable characteristic. For example, disobeying a rule or guideline that is for the betterment of everyone is an honorable

Read More
2216 Words | 9 Pages

Someone who has the characteristic of being disobedient understands that the world is not perfect and that they can not be put under control by authority. They understand that disobedience can lead to people realizing the problems in the world and hopefully doing something about it. In the book, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, people live in a dystopian society, where books are banned. People live in ignorance and pretend to be happy.

Read More
367 Words | 2 Pages

Fromm’s In A Few Good Men In the essay, “Disobedience As A Psychological And Moral Problem”, Erich Fromm argues that disobedience is needed to achieve freedom. In other words, he also says, “Obedience to a power, institution, or authority is submission” (Fromm 685). Fromm also says to truly disobey, you must be alone and not with a crowd.

Read More
718 Words | 3 Pages

Disobedience is an essential aspect of human nature, while disobedience is generally a trait seen negatively, the results caused by disobedience can lead to great success. America is a country that was founded on the idea of disobedience, the ambitions of our forefathers culminated in the ideas of liberty. Early in the history of our country there was slavery, slavery was devastating to a huge population of people being shipped from their homes to be traded and bartered for. In such conditions it was only natural for these slaves to revolt, continuing to revolt even as there were laws placed down preventing them from escaping such as the Fugitive Slave Act. People were drawn by their morality and helped these slaves even if it was considered an incorrect action.

Read More
650 Words | 3 Pages

To disobey someone is to disregard them and refuse their authority, and this in generally seen as a bad thing. People are told to listen and obey to the higher ups to avoid punishment. But, throughout history disobedience has brought about much needed change. Disobedience is often necessary to promote change and we can see this throughout America's history. From the American revolution in 1775 to the slave rebellions in the 19th century to the civil rights movement in 1954.

Read More
768 Words | 4 Pages

Oscar Wilde, Irish writer, theatrically said in 1891 that “progress has been made” because of “disobedience and... rebellion.” Furthermore, Wilde argues that disobedience is man's original virtue. Disobedience of law led to the American Revolution, desegregation, and improved civil rights across the board, proving that Wilde is correct. However, Wilde's claim ignores disobedience or the law that is regressive and detrimental to the health of the public, such as the Confederacy seceding for slavery, school districts that refused to desegregate, shootings that kill dozens of people. Additionally, in early human life, obedience was important for survival, leading me to believe that disobedience is “man's original virtue” if motivated by greed,

Read More
781 Words | 4 Pages

If Adam and Eve had not committed that first act of disobedience, then man as we know him today would not exist. When people are acting disobediently, they are able to rely on their own powers and become fully human. Therefore, Fromm means that disobedience is the first step into independence and freedom because an individual is breaking away from what is right and is acting in ways that he feels are appropriate. By saying that history began with an act of disobedience and will likely end with an act of

Read More
534 Words | 3 Pages

Disobedience, it is our inner braveness that stands up for our battles. Disobedience, it is what shapes our society and how we are as people. All it takes is a brave man to let his thoughts out and into our complex world. Are we going to tolerate being treated as slaves? Are we going to let people create our own destiny to our future?

Read More
807 Words | 4 Pages

To argue disobedience as a major cause of progress is completely foolish - if anything the hand of disorder only waved a minute part of history. It is man’s natural tendencies to see the world as a place that can easily contained and organized - yet as much as it 's hard to believe disorder is absolutely everywhere. Man’s natural biases is lead more on negativity to maintain a fluent pessimistic view of the everyday being resistant on change of the ideas. Discontentment and creating rebellions may bring light to a situation but those actions are not effective in creating progress. Let’s begin by looking through history - often history is described as a cyclic events where the same issues are churned and repeated; And humans fall prey to that trap, not learning from the past, and repeating the same mistakes.

Read More
281 Words | 2 Pages

Philosophy 1B03 - Dr. J. Marshall Abby Sasikumar Engagement Response: October 3rd Regarding the issue of anarchy and civil disobedience, the question raised in this week’s reading ‘Duty of Disobedience’ is determining whether or not one’s conscience should be considered over the state’s legislations. In this text, author Henry David Thoreau explains how society should make the individual a priority over what the law dictates, and that one should become disobedient to an unjust state. Thoreau critiques many elements of the American government such as slavery.

Read More
429 Words | 2 Pages

Obedience is a virtue which our elders teach us; however, sometimes disobedience is also a virtue, as it proves one’s ability to stand against wrong. In society, most people perceive disobedience as wrongdoings, but disobedience also causes people to speak up for what they believe. In some cases, disobedience causes social change or progress. Sometimes disobedience is used as a method to spread awareness to the public. If authorities are negatively influencing the audience about a different issue then a rebellion may be necessary.

Read More

More about Fromm's Disobedience As A Psychological And Moral Problem

Related Topics

Open Document