“Modern man lives under the illusion that he knows what he wants, while he actually wants exactly what he is supposed to want”
— Erich Fromm
Simplified Meaning:
People today often think they know what they want in life, but in reality, they want what society tells them to want. Imagine a person who buys the newest smartphone every year because they believe it's what they need to be happy. They see ads everywhere and hear friends talking about it, so they feel pressured to keep up. In history, many people followed certain paths because it was expected. For instance, during the industrial revolution, many workers believed they wanted long hours and factory jobs because it was the norm, not necessarily because it fulfilled them. This can relate to anyone's life today. When making choices, it's important to think about whether you're making them for yourself or because society pushes you in that direction. It encourages being true to one's own needs and desires instead of following the crowd blindly.
