"Man's biological weakness is the condition of human culture"
- Erich Fromm
About this Quote
Erich Fromm's quote recommends that human culture is a result of our biological weak points. He implies that our physical restrictions, such as our inability to fly or breathe undersea, have led us to develop culture as a method to make up for our weak points. Fromm recommends that culture is a way for us to endure and prosper in our environment, in spite of our physical restrictions. He also implies that culture is a way for us to reveal our creativity and uniqueness, as well as to develop a sense of community and belonging. Fromm's quote suggests that culture is a way for us to transcend our biological weak points and to produce a much better world for ourselves. By understanding our biological weak points, we can use culture to produce a much better future for ourselves and for future generations.
"We have our own history, our own language, our own culture. But our destiny is also tied up with the destinies of other people - history has made us all South Africans"
"Of course as children, we all, in all cultures and societies, learn behavior from observation, imitation, and encouragement of various kinds. So by the suggestion made, we all 'pretend' most of the time"
"Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle. This is why any authentic creation is a gift to the future"
