Erich Fromm is one of the twentieth centurys distinguished writers and thinkers (240).

This is made
apparent in his essay, Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem, in which he describes the various types
of obedience and disobediences and how they are either contributive or detrimental to humanity. Fromm argues that
human history began with an act of disobedience, and that it is not unlikely that it will be terminated by an act of
obedience (246). Since the beginning of human history, concepts such as individuality, authority, and
totalitarianism, have been placed side by side often for comparison and tested by the events that they provoked. The
two factors that have both aided and create difficulties for human progression are obedience and disobedience.
Although Fromm uses religious and mythological figures to demonstrate this, his essay reminds us of past historical
figures (such as Martin Luther King Jr., Adolf Hitler, Erich Fromm is one of the twentieth centurys distinguished
writers and thinkers (240). This is made apparent in his essay, Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral
Problem, in which he describes the various types of obedience and disobediences and how they are either
contributive or detrimental to humanity. Fromm argues that human history began with an act of disobedience, and
that it is not unlikely that it will be terminated by an act of obedience (246). Since the beginning of human history,
concepts such as individuality, authority, and totalitarianism, have been placed side by side often for comparison and
tested by the events that they provoked. The two factors that have both aided and create difficulties for human
progression are obedience and disobedience. Although Fromm uses religious and mythological figures to demonstrate
this, his essay reminds us of past historical figures (such as Martin Luther King Jr., Adolf Hitler, Rick

Gorski

ENG 101- Stepanek

9/18/2011
Summary for Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem
Erich Fromm is one of the twentieth centurys distinguished writers and thinkers.
This is made apparent in his essay, Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral
Problem, in which he describes the various types of obedience and disobedience and
how they are either contributive or detrimental to humanity. Fromm argues that human
history began with an act of disobedience, and that it is not unlikely that it will be
terminated by an act of obedience.(Fromm 683) Since the beginning of human history,

concepts such as individuality, authority, and totalitarianism, have been placed side by
side often for comparison and tested by the events that they provoked. The two factors
that have both aided and create difficulties for human progression are obedience and
disobedience. Although Fromm uses religious and mythological figures to demonstrate
this, his essay reminds us of past historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Adolf
Hitler, and Ghandi. All this can lead us to actually believe what Fromm has to say about
obedience and disobedience.
People have said that obedience is a virtue and that disobedience is a vice, for
centuries. History of the humankind was started by an act of disobedience and it is not
very unlikely that it will end by an act of obedience. Adam and Eve, being part of
nature in the Garden of Eden, had disobeyed an order. By disobeying the order they
made man emerge from a pre-human harmony and was able to take the first step into
independence and freedom as Fromm says. Adam and Eve were set free after the act
of disobedience that broke the bond between nature and made man individuals. For
man to become fully human and to learn all of their capabilities they had to leave the
Garden of Eden.
Even prophets have confirmed the idea that disobedience is not a sin, but it is
freedom from pre-human harmony. As time has gone on, the evolution of Man has
advanced only because there were men who stood up and said no to the higher powers
like conscience or faith. With that being said, Fromm states that it is a very likely
possibility that the human race will not only destroy civilization, but also all life on the
planet. We live in the Atomic Age, but our leaders still think with the mindset of those

who lived in the Stone Age. This quite literally means that we will be pushed to press
the deadly buttons and end the world as we know it.
Why is man so prone to obey and why is it so difficult for him to disobey?
Today we relate obedience with safety. As long as we stay obedient to the people that
are superior to us we will feel as though we are safe and protected. In our history
obedience has always been associated with virtue and disobedience has been
associated with sin. The reason behind this philosophy is that through the majority of
history the minority has ruled over the majority. So the minority has planted these ideas
into the majoritys head so that they obey. Fromms essay on obedience and
disobedience can be analyzed, and the conclusion that mankind will in the end itself can
be made.