To Have Or To Be? audiobook cover - A classic about the psyche and socioeconomic change

To Have Or To Be?

A classic about the psyche and socioeconomic change

Erich Fromm

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PhilosophyMindfulness & Happiness

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To Have Or To Be?
The 'Having' Mode+
The 'Being' Mode+
Transforming Society+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to Erich Fromm, what is the fundamental difference between the 'having' and 'being' mindsets?
  • A. 'Having' focuses on accumulating possessions and objectifying the world, while 'being' emphasizes authentic relationships and expressing one's true self.
  • B. 'Having' is necessary for economic stability, while 'being' is a spiritual state only attainable by monks and ascetics.
  • C. 'Having' is rooted in communist ideologies, while 'being' is the driving force behind modern capitalist societies.
  • D. 'Having' encourages sharing resources with others, while 'being' promotes individual self-interest and personal growth.
Question 2 of 7
Why does the author argue that communism is NOT the solution to the negative effects of capitalism?
  • A. Communism promotes a 'being' mindset but fails to provide enough basic necessities for survival.
  • B. Like capitalism, communism does not seek to curb unbridled consumption.
  • C. Communism relies too heavily on individual greed to function effectively.
  • D. Communism inherently rejects the environmental protections needed to save the planet.
Question 3 of 7
How does the 'having' mode affect a person's relationship with their own opinions?
  • A. It makes them eager to adopt new opinions to increase their intellectual wealth.
  • B. It causes them to view opinions as temporary tools to win arguments.
  • C. It leads them to cling to their thoughts, treating a change of opinion as a loss of a possession and a piece of their identity.
  • D. It encourages them to share their opinions generously to build authentic relationships with others.
Question 4 of 7
How has the modern industrial approach to nature shifted from pre-Industrial Revolution times?
  • A. Humanity has learned to harness nature's resources without causing permanent ecological damage.
  • B. Humanity now views itself as a part of nature, prioritizing its wellbeing over economic growth.
  • C. Humanity has stopped relying on natural resources and fully transitioned to synthetic alternatives.
  • D. Humanity no longer works within the confines of nature, but arrogantly seeks to conquer and exploit it as mere building blocks.
Question 5 of 7
Which of the following is one of the three ways the 'having' mode leads to suffering, as outlined in the text?
  • A. It forces people to abandon their material goods, leading to a life of uncomfortable poverty.
  • B. It creates deep insecurities because our identity is anchored in possessions that can be lost.
  • C. It requires individuals to spend too much time in deep self-reflection, causing emotional distress.
  • D. It focuses too heavily on long-term fulfillment, causing people to miss out on immediate, fleeting pleasures.
Question 6 of 7
In a society modeled on 'being,' how must the concept of productivity be redefined?
  • A. Productivity should be measured by the amount of outward business generated to boost the economy.
  • B. Productivity should focus on hyper-efficiency, saving as much time as possible in the workplace.
  • C. Productivity should mean doing things in service of and as an expression of who we are, rather than outward business.
  • D. Productivity should be completely eliminated, allowing people to live a life of uninterrupted leisure.
Question 7 of 7
What does the story of Arthur Koestler during the Spanish Civil War illustrate about human nature?
  • A. People are naturally inclined to form participatory democracies during times of crisis.
  • B. The fear of discomfort and the unknown often prevents people from making necessary changes, even at their own peril.
  • C. People will always abandon their material possessions when their lives are directly threatened.
  • D. War is an inevitable outcome of the 'being' mindset when resources become scarce.

To Have Or To Be? — Full Chapter Overview

To Have Or To Be? Summary & Overview

To Have or To Be (1976) challenges the consumerist motivations that drive us “to have” and instead invites readers to embrace a new ideal: “to be.” This way of life provides the fulfillment that power, status, and keeping up with the Joneses promise don’t deliver.

Who Should Listen to To Have Or To Be??

  • Busy people tired of the “rat race.” 
  • Weary workers seeking fulfillment beyond materialism, power, and status.
  • Mindful people  who desire a life of purposeful productivity.

About the Author: Erich Fromm

Erich Fromm (1900-1980) was a world-renowned psychologist, sociologist, and philosopher. Born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, Fromm was the child of Orthodox Jewish parents. When the Nazis took power in 1934, he moved to New York; later, he became a US citizen and professor at several universities, among them Columbia and Yale.

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