Mila's logs

Doomed to lose

Erich Fromm, a German American humanistic philosopher argues that the way we view death correlates with the way we live life. His belief lies in a flexible and multifaceted reality that is personalized to each individual. His goal is not to state that one state of reality is true for all humans―it is to state that reality is constructed from the essence of who we are and what we believe.

Fromm proposes the two modes of living: the having and being modes. The having mode is the state in which an individual places emphasis on material possessions and superficial attributes such as appearance, economic power, social status, and such. These items can be possessed, yet simultaneously can be targets of theft and loss. Individuals who live by the having mode cannot have faith, as faith does not offer a tangible source that can be interacted with or owned in the sense that animate things can. Without faith, one would find difficulty in believing in great ideals―let alone the afterlife.

The second mode of living, the being mode, is a direct contrast to the having mode. In essence, the being mode focuses on the identity of who one is. The natural gifts of human nature and abilities that cannot be stolen away, and can only be cultivated through activity. These things may be art, intellect, or thought. Such individuals can easily have faith and love, that propels them into an elevated state of mind that can easily accept that death brings forth something greater.

Fromm also notes that while humans are not subjugated to one mode or the other, there is a distinction between the two groups. We may all have partial beliefs for both modes of living, but in the end, we result in living by one mode over the other.

As a primarily existential thinker, I find that Fromm’s beliefs are highly idealistic. However, his idealistic beliefs also hold great truth to them; humans who can embrace that the mode of being comes with greater fruition than that of the mode of having are likely able to live the full extent of their lives. By logic, it is greatly rational to assume that these individuals have greater power in envisioning a reality with hope and faith.

Despite this, my heart aches for the other group that cannot be saved despite their continuous chase after happiness. The reason why so many humans in the modern age live by the having mode is that it is ingrained into the fabric of society that consumption and status grant great happiness. Humans, including myself, are inherently clueless beings who simply seek out happiness in hopes of becoming fulfilled. This process is increasingly scrambled and made difficult by the trends we see in the world, and I cannot place all the responsibility on the souls doomed to lose all. Those who wholeheartedly believe that these scraps of paper, metal, and paint will give them a purpose. Should Fromm’s philosophy be true, I pray that there is saving for all in the end, despite what life one led―that we all can see our endless pursuit for happiness and peace be compensated.

Yet it may just be that we are inherently doomed to lose.

Mila’s logs original