Erich Fromm, a prominent social psychologist and humanistic philosopher, examined how modern society affects individual freedom and the capacity for love. He argued that true freedom involves actively engaging with one’s own choices rather than becoming passive in the face of social pressures. Fromm believed that many individuals experience alienation because societal structures inhibit genuine expression, leading them to adopt conformist attitudes. His work links psychoanalytic theory with social and political critique, urging a move towards more compassionate, life-affirming forms of love and community.