The Relationship Between the Individual and Society: A Comparison of Two Perspectives Journal Article

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In this article, the theories of Professor Martyr Morteza Motahhari regarding the relationship between the individual and society are compared with the theories of Erich Fromm, and we have attempted to clarify the aspects of similarity and difference between the thoughts of these two thinkers. < Erich Fromm's Theory In discussing the relationship between the individual and society and the effect of each on the other, while accepting some of Freud's psychological principles, Erich Fromm criticizes the individualism of this theory and expresses his view as follows: Contrary to Freud's view, the analysis presented in this book is based on the assumption that, firstly, the fundamental issue of psychology is the specific type of connection of the person with the world, not the mere satisfaction or frustration of certain instinctive needs. In this way, while accepting Freud's view on the mechanisms of repression and growth, Fromm considers society to be the agent of creating qualities in humans, to the extent that he calls human nature the product of the social process or course. In general, Fromm reaches this summary regarding the nature of the relationship between the individual and society: human nature is neither an innate and unchangeable collection of drives nor a lifeless shadow of the cultural organizations of the environment that man must conform to; rather, it is the product of human evolution, yet it also possesses its own specific laws and mechanisms. If we accept the first hypothesis regarding Erich Fromm's theory and consider his theory to be based on collective primacy, it would be necessary for the social character to be the character of all individuals in all societies without any exception.