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May 11, 1965
Social psychologist Erich Fromm gives the fifth lecture in his series on humanistic psychology. In this lecture, Fromm discusses sexuality in relation to the concept of Eros -- the Freudian theory of libido, also known as the life instinct that is innate in all humans. He examines Sigmund Freud’s theories about libido, which he believes Freud viewed as more masculine than feminine, as well as Freud’s theories about the polarization of the sexes. Fromm interprets that to Freud, the idea of sexual/gender equality is destructive as it means that people must be the same, which would then contradict Freud’s views about the idea of individuality. Fromm then introduces the concept of “machismo” as it relates to the sexual potency of man and discusses the differences between “maleness” and “manliness.” He also talks about the differences in the tactical approaches used by men and women when facing aggression, with men tending to use physical force, and women tending to use ridicule.
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