Meeting of Great Minds and Hearts: St. Francis meets Erich Fromm
I sometimes imagine a meeting between great minds and hearts who are sources of who I am today one such meeting is between Erich Fromm — a psychoanalyst and social philosopher known for his work on the psychology of love, freedom, and human nature — and Our Holy Seraphic Father, St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the three Franciscan Orders, who is revered for his humility, deep connection with nature, and radical commitment to poverty and simplicity. This meeting is explored through a dialogue on key themes such as love, freedom, human nature, materialism, and the spiritual life.
1. Concept of Love
- Erich Fromm: Fromm’s concept of love is rooted in the idea that love is an art that requires practice, discipline, and knowledge. He believes that love is an act of will that transcends selfish desires, focusing on care, responsibility, respect, and knowledge for another person’s well-being. Fromm would likely emphasize the idea of love as a creative, active force that builds bonds between people in a meaningful, ethical way.
- St. Francis of Assisi: St. Francis practiced a radical form of love, particularly for the poor, the sick, and all of God’s creation. His love was grounded in his devotion to God, which led him to see all creatures as his brothers and sisters. He expressed love not only for fellow humans but for animals, plants, and the natural world. St. Francis’ love was also centered on compassion, humility, and self-sacrifice.
In their conversation, they “might” agree that true love involves selflessness, still, Fromm would approach it from a psychological and relational standpoint, and St. Francis would view it as a divine calling, an imitation of Christ’s love.
2. Freedom and Materialism
- Erich Fromm: In Escape from Freedom, Erich Fromm argues that while people desire freedom, they often fear its consequences, leading them to surrender their freedom to authoritarian systems or conformist lifestyles. Fromm also critiques modern capitalist societies for promoting consumerism, which alienates individuals from their true selves and makes them slaves to material goods.
- St. Francis of Assisi: St. Francis of Assisi, the Poverello, renounced his material wealth and embraced poverty as a way to find spiritual freedom. St. Francis believed that attachment to worldly possessions hindered a person’s relationship with God. For St. Francis, freedom was found in living simply and trusting in God’s providence rather than in the pursuit of material wealth or social status.
In dialogue, Fromm might critique capitalism’s commodification of human relationships, while St. Francis would emphasize that spiritual poverty and renunciation of material wealth is the path to true freedom. Both would agree that freedom is about living authentically but differ in the sources of that authenticity: for Fromm, its psychological independence, and for St. Francis, spiritual surrender.
3. Human Nature
- Erich Fromm: Fromm’s understanding of human nature emphasizes the conflict between different needs: the desire for security and the longing for freedom, autonomy, and creativity. Fromm sees humans as having the potential for both good and evil, depending on the social structures and psychological conditions that shape their lives.
- St. Francis of Assisi: St. Francis would see human nature as essentially good because it is made in the image of God, though it is marred by sin. For him, living a virtuous life and aligning oneself with God’s will allows humans to restore their original goodness.
Fromm would discuss human nature in terms of psychological growth and development, while St. Francis would frame it in terms of spiritual redemption. They might find common ground in the idea that society and culture profoundly shape human behavior, though they would interpret this influence through different lenses.
4. Materialism and Simplicity
- Erich Fromm: Fromm critiques modern society for its focus on having over being. He argues that people are more focused on possessing things than on cultivating their inner lives. This, he believes, leads to alienation and a loss of meaning.
- St. Francis of Assisi: St. Francis embodied simplicity, living without possessions and calling others to reject material wealth. He believed that material goods often distract people from the spiritual life and from focusing on what truly matters — a personal relationship with God and care for others.
Both thinkers would likely agree on the dangers of materialism, though Fromm would approach it as a form of psychological alienation, while St. Francis would view it as a spiritual distraction. Both would advocate for a life of simplicity, Fromm as a way of recovering psychological well-being and St. Francis as a way of living out the Gospel.
5. Spirituality and Human Flourishing
- Erich Fromm: Although Fromm is often considered a secular thinker, he acknowledges the importance of transcendent experiences and the search for meaning. He describes productive, self-actualized living as requiring a sense of connection to others and to life itself, which he terms “biophilia” (the love of life).
- St. Francis of Assisi: St. Francis’ spirituality is deeply Christocentric. His flourishing came from renouncing worldly desires, serving others, and embracing suffering in imitation of Christ. For him, human flourishing was about conforming one’s life to the will of God and experiencing joy in communion with all of creation.
In their theoretical meeting, Fromm might emphasize the need for a psychological and relational form of transcendence, while St. Francis would emphasize the necessity of a spiritual transcendence rooted in the Christian faith. Both would agree, however, that true human flourishing involves moving beyond the self-centered desires of the ego.
