• The Art of Being

  • By: Erich Fromm
  • Narrated by: Raymond Todd
  • Length: 4 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (860 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
The Art of Being  By  cover art

The Art of Being

By: Erich Fromm
Narrated by: Raymond Todd
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $9.32

Buy for $9.32

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

This classic work by psychologist and social philosopher Eric Fromm builds upon his previous popular book To Have or to Be? The Art of Being teaches us to avoid the tantalizing illusions of our consumer-driven world by learning to function as a whole person from a state of inner completeness or being. The transition from an identity of having to being creates a state of enlightened psychological and spiritual happiness.

Fromm observes that the modern person is less a self-reflective being than a composite of data promoted by the mass media, and he encourages us to pursue true self-awareness beyond simple political, ideological, and religious cliches. By learning to be centered in the self, the individual is less swayed by the endless pressures and dissatisfactions of the culture of consumerism.

©1989 Estate of Erich Fromm. Foreword 1992 Rainer Funk (P)2006 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Eric Fromm is both a psychologist of penetration and a writer of ability." (Chicago Tribune)

What listeners say about The Art of Being

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    515
  • 4 Stars
    191
  • 3 Stars
    110
  • 2 Stars
    31
  • 1 Stars
    13
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    446
  • 4 Stars
    157
  • 3 Stars
    64
  • 2 Stars
    14
  • 1 Stars
    5
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    410
  • 4 Stars
    151
  • 3 Stars
    84
  • 2 Stars
    19
  • 1 Stars
    8

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting Perspectives

I’m glad I listened to this book. I enjoyed learning about his perspectives on life. The narrator does a wonderful job as well.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Was thrown off by the last chapter

After all the quite sense making points on individuals and personal development, the last chapter was like from another book, completely unrelated and full of ungrounded assertions and resentment.

I guess 40 years of self analysis is not enough to withstand the temptation of one simple solution for all human misery.

I guess Fromm was too privileged to even imagine the nastiness of prehistoric lifestyle.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

a great listen!

many concepts of life, broken down in such great eloquence! wonderful choice of words! thank you!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enlightening

Well read. The voice fits the material perfectly. The content gives great insight to the simplicity of ‘Being’ as virtue by contrast to the mindless zombie society that we indulge in. Get woke. Stay woke.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very insightful

Chapter 15… makes it easier to understand the ego of ownership.

I highly recommend this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

just not that insightful/disagree with the premise

too outdated and filled with some sort of platitudes which are hard to disagree with merely from a standpoint of a common sense, which is the case when lack of objections to the point drawn proves only the lack of its value

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars

Short but deep

It is instructive and entertaining... A bit dated but the principles stand up well.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Highly recommended

What made the experience of listening to The Art of Being the most enjoyable?

Really made it think, improve myself and become what I consider a better human being.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The speakers voice is so calming.

I loved listening to this book because the material was great but I also loved the speakers voice. So relaxing.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

I couldn’t believe how good this was even though was written quite some time ago but is SO relevant.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!