Function Quote by Erich Fromm
“Today the function of psychiatry, psychology and psychoanalysis threatens to become the tool in the manipulation of man.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Loving (1956) and other writings on psychoanalysis
Psychiatry and related fields risk being misused as tools for controlling people rather than healing.
In simple terms: Therapy can become a means of manipulation.
Key Takeaway
Guard against misuse of psychological knowledge.
Themes
ethics
power
psychology
manipulation
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- clinical practice
- political propaganda
- advertising
- social engineering
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
informed consent
therapeutic boundaries
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards protect patients from manipulation?
- How can professionals ensure ethical use of psychological insights?
A Different Perspective
Complex power dynamics make it hard to separate therapy from control.
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