Anatomie lidské destruktivity

The book, sometimes considered Fromm's most original and comprehensive work, discusses various aspects of aggression using insights from human and animal psychology, neurophysiology, paleontology, and anthropology.
Fromm distinguishes between benign and malignant aggression. Only benign aggression, which serves adaptive purposes such as defence, is shared with animals. Malignant aggression, on the other hand - cruelty and destructiveness - is exclusively human. In man, instincts are replaced by character, and this sometimes takes on a sadistic or necrophilic character, especially through the influence of social factors. Fromm illustrates this with the psychobiography of Hitler and others.
The 1973 book, which has lost none of its relevance in today's world, is particularly appreciated for the way it brilliantly refutes some competing approaches to understanding aggression and destructiveness.

Czech edition