Collection of excerpts from the book "The Fear of Freedom" by Erich Fromm. The book explores the psychological consequences of freedom in modern society and the various ways individuals escape its burden. The text focuses on the development of authoritarianism as a response to the anxieties of freedom, examining the historical and cultural factors that have contributed to its rise. It examines various psychological mechanisms of escape from freedom including submission to authority, destructiveness, and conformity. Fromm argues that these mechanisms are rooted in the individual's fear of isolation and powerlessness, ultimately leading to a loss of self and a suppression of spontaneity.