Modern man lives under the illusion that he knows what he wants, while he actually wants what he is supposed to want.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- People often think they have their own desires, but these are actually shaped by societal expectations.
- In plain terms
- You think you want what you want, but you want what you are told to want.
- What can you take from it?
- Desire is often socially conditioned.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What do you want because you were told to?
- How do you know what you really want?
Another view
Some desires are innate regardless of social pressure.
More from Erich Fromm
Men are born equal but they are also born different.
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