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“The most beautiful as well as the most ugly inclinations of man are not part of a fixed and biologically given human nature, but result from the social process which creates man”

Erich Fromm

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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.

Related tags
Human behavior Human nature Nature vs nurture Social conditioning Social psychology
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