Veličina i granice Freudove misli

Published in 1979 as one of Fromm's final works, Greatness and Limitation of Freud's Thought presents a profound yet benevolent re-examination of psychoanalytic theory by a former follower who had subsequently distanced himself from orthodox Freudianism. Fromm seeks to separate the enduring value of Freud's discoveries from the dogmatic and outdated elements of his thought.

Key themes of the book include:

• Freud's greatness: Fromm celebrates Freud as one of the greatest thinkers of the modern era—a man who discovered the continent of the unconscious, exposed the illusion of human rationality, and created the method of free association, enabling insight into the deeper layers of the psyche.

• Limitations and misconceptions: He criticizes Freud's mechanistic and energetic approach (viewing libido as a hydraulic system), his biological reductionism, and his neglect of the influence of social and economic structures on character development.

• Rejection of a patriarchal and pessimistic vision: Fromm challenges Freud's pessimism regarding human destiny, his assumption of the universality of the Oedipus complex in a literal sense, and his patriarchal biases—specifically his failure to understand the specific psychology of women.

The work offers a compelling synthesis of psychoanalysis and social psychology, demonstrating how Freud's theory can be liberated from the narrow confines of the 19th century and adapted to the humanistic needs of the modern age.