To have or to be?

From a pimp of greed to a man who is guided by his conscience and personal responsibility to himself and his fellow man.

Erich Fromm, whose humanistic books have already made psychology and philosophy accessible to readers of several generations, here analyses the nature of Western society, seeks the origins of its problems and offers an alternative to its development. It describes two basic ways of life: While "having" deals with acquisition and competition, "being" focuses on inner contentment and harmony. Our company values ownership (of property, Status, success, indulgences...), but growing environmental problems are forcing us to change our priorities and refocus on belonging to the world, development of creativity, personal responsibility and conscience.

Fromm convincingly bases his vision of the new world on the teachings of such authorities as Buddha, Jesus, Master Eckhart and Albert Schweitzer. The book, first published in 1976, became Fromm's most famous work.