Erich Fromm’s Humanistic Ethics and the Power of Creative Expression in Self and Society

Erich Fromm, a German social psychologist, psychoanalyst, and philosopher, challenged many of the assumptions underlying modern life. His ethical vision goes beyond rules and commandments—it’s about living a meaningful life through growth, love, and creativity. Instead of asking, “What should I do to be good?” Fromm invites us to ask, “Who am I becoming—and am I becoming more fully human?”

At a time when societies encourage achievement, consumption, and control, Fromm’s work reminds us that the path to ethical living lies in being fully alive and present—connected to ourselves and others. Central to this process is creativity—not as a luxury or talent, but as an everyday human capacity that helps us live authentically and build healthier communities.

Fromm’s Humanistic Ethics: Being More, Not Having More

Fromm’s ethics revolve around what he calls “the art of being.” In his book To Have or To Be? (1976), he argues that Western culture has become obsessed with possession. "Modern man has transformed himself into a commodity," he wrote, "experiencing his life as an investment which must bring maximum profit."

He contrasts this “having mode” with the “being mode”—a way of living grounded in presence, creativity, and relationship. In this mode, values such as curiosity, spontaneity, independence, and love flourish. Ethics, therefore, isn’t about obedience to law but about developing one’s potential in relationship with the world.

Fromm emphasized that ethical maturity comes when individuals choose to live in a way that affirms life. For example, a teacher who nurtures curiosity rather than drills facts is living ethically, just as much as a parent who encourages a child to think independently rather than blindly obey.

Real-world example: In Finland’s education system, students are not overloaded with tests and rankings. Instead, teachers are given freedom to focus on the child’s development as a whole person—fostering creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. This approach reflects Fromm’s “being” orientation.

Creativity as a Daily Practice of Self-Realization

Fromm viewed creativity not as an artistic skill, but as a life practice. In The Sane Society (1955), he wrote: “Creativeness requires the courage to let go of certainties.” Whether one is writing, gardening, designing, or solving interpersonal problems, these acts are creative when they come from an inner sense of curiosity and purpose.

He believed that creativity is how we shape the world and ourselves in it. In expressing ourselves, we come to know who we are. This applies not just to professional artists, but to anyone who chooses to live deliberately.

Consider the example of workers at a Japanese factory who engage in kaizen—a philosophy of continuous improvement. They’re encouraged to creatively solve problems on the production line, propose changes, and improve workflow. Though it’s part of an industrial setting, it reflects Fromm’s belief that work, when approached with creativity and autonomy, can be deeply fulfilling.

Another example: In prison art therapy programs, inmates who have long been cut off from self-expression often begin to heal and reconnect with themselves through painting or poetry. These creative acts, born under harsh conditions, demonstrate how expression can restore dignity and reawaken a sense of being.

Creativity and the Productive Character

Fromm’s ideal human personality is what he called the “productive character”—a person who lives with integrity, responsibility, and joy in contributing to the world. He described it this way: “The productive character loves life, overcomes isolation by relating to others, and accepts the pains of growth as part of living fully.”

Fromm saw repression of creativity as one of the great dangers of authoritarian and consumerist cultures. He warned that societies that prioritize control, efficiency, or profit over genuine expression end up producing alienation and despair.

By contrast, environments that support creativity cultivate mental health. For example, studies have shown that children who attend schools with strong arts programs are more likely to develop emotional resilience and a sense of belonging. These effects are not just psychological—they are ethical, in that they support the full development of the human being.

Building Ethical Communities Through Shared Expression

Fromm believed that self-realization is inseparable from our connection to others. “Man is not only a being in himself, but also and essentially related to others,” he wrote in The Art of Loving. In this context, creative expression becomes a means of building community.

He pointed out that societies often fall into "pseudo-community"—relationships built on conformity or shared fear. True community arises when people are able to be vulnerable, to listen, and to contribute something personal. Creative expression is one of the most powerful tools for this kind of connection.

Real-world example: Community murals in Latin America—especially in post-conflict areas—have helped people reclaim space and tell stories of survival, resistance, and hope. These collective artworks don’t just decorate walls; they give voice to shared experience and foster healing.

Even online spaces can become sites of ethical creativity. Platforms like Humans of New York or post-trauma storytelling projects allow people to share personal truths in ways that generate empathy across global audiences.

Conclusion: Living the Ethics of Being

Erich Fromm’s humanistic ethics urges us to resist the superficial and the scripted. Instead, he encourages a life of presence, participation, and creation. To live ethically is to choose depth over distraction, relationship over possession, and courage over complacency.

Creative expression plays a central role in that process. It helps us explore who we are, relate honestly with others, and take part in shaping the kind of society we want to live in. In an age of noise, performance, and pressure, Fromm’s voice remains quietly radical: “To be fully alive means to be fully awake—and willing to create.”

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