How can we explain man's lust for cruelty? In a world in which violence
seems to be increasing, social philosopher Erich Fromm has treated this
haunting question with depth and scope in the most original and
far-reaching work of his brilliant career. Fromm goes beyond the
controversy between instinctivists like Lorenz, who argue that man's
destructiveness has been inherited from his animal ancestors, and
behaviorists like Skinner, who maintain that there are no innate human
traits since everything is the result of social conditioning. Conceding
that there is a kind of aggression which man shares with animals, Fromm
shows that it is defensive in nature, designed to insure survival. On
the other hand, malignant aggression, or destructiveness, in which man
kills without biological or social purpose, is peculiarly human and not
instinctive; it is one of the passions, like ambition or greed. Drawing
on findings of neurophysiology, prehistory, anthropology, and animal
psychology, Fromm presents a global and historical study of human
destructiveness that enables readers to evaluate the data for
themselves. Although deeply indebted to Freud, Fromm emphasizes social
and cultural factors as well. Destructiveness is seen in terms of the
dreams and associations of many patients, and of historical figures such
as Stalin--an extreme example of sadism; Himmler--an example of the
bureaucratic-sadistic character; and Hitler.

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