Erich Fromm on Work, Love, Religion, and Happiness

Renowned psychoanalyst and philosopher Erich Fromm (March 23, 1900–March 18, 1980) was one of the most significant public intellectuals of the twentieth century. Living and working at the height of the Cold War and imminent threat of a nuclear annihilation, he put an enormous effort into bridging the gap between high government officials and human … Read more

Each of These 4 Famous Philosophers Can Be Summarized in One Sentence (and Sentence #5 Will Surprise You)

I often describe myself as a reader and a writer. But there is one self-label that doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves — lifelong learner. That part of myself is on the never-ending path of self-improvement, an endeavor that is nourished, among other things, by Coursera. Case in point: “The Modern and the … Read more

Van Gogh on the Essence of True Love

Rarely are we invited as intimately into the creation of spellbinding art as we are through Van Gogh’s Letters. It’s because of their accessibility that Vincent van Gogh (March 30, 1853–July 29, 1890), among all the fathers of modern art, has become the most universally loved. That his range of ideas is not seen as … Read more