Neil McLaughlin on Erich Fromm

Give Theory A Chance

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Neil McLaughlin, Professor of Sociology at McMaster University and author of Erich Fromm and the Global Public Sociology (2023).
In our conversation, Neil discusses the rise, fall, and potential resurgence of the writings of Erich Fromm. Neil reflects on the value of Fromm’s work in this current political moment as well as the lessons sociologists can learn about the possibilities and pitfalls of communicating to the larger public.

*In addition to the aforementioned book, Neil has published a significant number of articles on Fromm. Check out the some of the recent ones + one mentioned in this episode:

• how to become a forgotten intellectual (1998)
• Why Fromm now (2024)
• Answering populist attacks on psychosocial ideas (2024)
• How Erich Fromm can help address the Jordan Peterson problem (2024)