“But a map is not enough as a guide for action; we also need a goal that tells us where to go. Animals have no such problems. Their instincts provide them with a map as well as with goals. But lacking instinctive determination and having a brain that permits us to think of many directions in which we can go, we need an object of total devotion, a focal point for all our strivings and the basis for all our effective - not only our proclaimed - values. We need such an object of devotion in order to integrate our energies in one direction, to transcend our isolated existence, with all its doubts and insecurities, and to answer our need for a meaning of life.”

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About Erich Fromm

German psychoanalyst and social philosopher of the mid-20th century, Erich Fromm was a leading figure in humanistic psychology. His work bridges psychology and sociology, exploring themes of love, freedom, and the human condition through concepts like "escape from freedom" and "the art of loving." He remains influential for his critiques of capitalism and his humanistic approach to mental health.

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"But a map is not enough as a guide for action; we also need a goal th…" — Erich Fromm | Daily Quotes