Idealism, violence and censure

This chapter builds on Sumner’s (1990, 1997, 2015) research by drawing attention to the work of Erich Fromm ([1941] 1969) and Ernest Becker (1975). Whilst there are important differences between their approaches, both theorists directly address the unconscious desires that motivate people to engage in extreme violence and other forms of destructive behaviour. The main themes addressed by Fromm and Becker will be discussed in relation to Cottee and Hayward’s (2011) research on the existential attractions of engaging in terrorist acts. The chapter concludes by considering the different ideas put forward by Fromm and Becker concerning the possibility for living in a more open, tolerant and less destructive world