Erich Fromm - To Have or to Be? | 50 English Discussion Questions

Erich Fromm - To Have or to Be?

50 English discussion questions about having, being, happiness, identity, possessions and modern life.

Having or Being?

Erich Fromm was a German-American psychologist, philosopher and social thinker. In his book To Have or to Be?, he asks a surprisingly simple question: Do we build our lives around what we have, or around who we are?

The difference may sound small, but Fromm believed it influences our relationships, our work, our attitude to money, our education and even the way we understand ourselves.

These questions are designed to help you explore Fromm's ideas while expressing your own opinion in English.

How to use the page: Click the English question to reveal a possible English answer. Use the language buttons if you would like to see a translation.

1. What is the basic difference between having and being?

Was ist der grundlegende Unterschied zwischen Haben und Sein?
Qual è la differenza fondamentale tra avere ed essere?
¿Cuál es la diferencia fundamental entre tener y ser?
Quelle est la différence fondamentale entre avoir et être ?
Qual é a diferença fundamental entre ter e ser?
Jaka jest podstawowa różnica między posiadaniem a byciem?

Possible answer: Having means that we define ourselves through possessions, status or things we control. Being means that we concentrate more on experiencing life, developing ourselves and connecting with other people.

Haben bedeutet, dass wir uns über Besitz, Status oder Dinge definieren, die wir kontrollieren. Sein bedeutet, dass wir uns mehr darauf konzentrieren, das Leben zu erfahren, uns weiterzuentwickeln und Beziehungen zu anderen Menschen aufzubauen.
Avere significa definirci attraverso i nostri beni, il nostro status o le cose che controlliamo. Essere significa concentrarsi maggiormente sull'esperienza della vita, sullo sviluppo personale e sui rapporti con gli altri.
Tener significa definirnos mediante nuestras posesiones, nuestro estatus o las cosas que controlamos. Ser significa concentrarnos más en experimentar la vida, desarrollarnos y relacionarnos con otras personas.
Avoir signifie que nous nous définissons par nos possessions, notre statut ou les choses que nous contrôlons. Être signifie se concentrer davantage sur l'expérience de la vie, le développement personnel et les relations avec les autres.
Ter significa definir-nos através das nossas posses, do nosso estatuto ou das coisas que controlamos. Ser significa concentrar-nos mais em viver a vida, desenvolver-nos e criar ligações com outras pessoas.
Posiadanie oznacza definiowanie siebie poprzez rzeczy, status lub to, co kontrolujemy. Bycie oznacza większe skupienie na doświadczaniu życia, rozwoju osobistym i relacjach z innymi ludźmi.

More Than Just Exercises

These questions are not simply about finding the "correct" answer. Erich Fromm's ideas invite us to think about our own lives.

Do we measure success by what we own, or by what we experience? Do we collect knowledge, or do we use what we know? Do we try to possess other people, or do we allow relationships to develop freely?

The aim is to use English to explore ideas, exchange experiences and develop your own point of view.

The more you explain, question, compare and respond, the more English becomes something you use naturally rather than something you simply study.