"人間の最も美しい傾向と最も醜い傾向は固定された生物学的に与えられた人間の本質の一部ではなく、人間を創造する社会的プロセスの結果である。"
— Erich Fromm
Simplified Meaning:
Humans aren't born with a fixed set of good or bad traits; instead, our behavior and tendencies are shaped by the society we live in. Think about how children grow up. A child raised in a loving, supportive environment is more likely to develop positive qualities like kindness and empathy. On the other hand, a child who grows up in a harsh, neglectful setting may develop negativity or aggression. Take, for instance, two famous historical figures: Mahatma Gandhi and Adolf Hitler. Gandhi, who was nurtured in a culture of peace and non-violence, dedicated his life to fighting for justice in a peaceful manner. Conversely, Hitler, who experienced a troubled upbringing and was influenced by destructive ideologies, became one of history's most notorious figures. What this means for us is that we should be aware of how our environment and the people around us affect who we become. If we want to foster good qualities in ourselves and others, we should create supportive and loving environments. This idea encourages us to think about the impact of our social surroundings on our behavior and to strive to make those surroundings as positive as possible.