Recommended Readings
Biolinguistics || Contexts || General
The Mind-Body Problem
Minds, Brains And Science
John Searle, Ph.D.
Harvard University Press
Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1984
A short, easy-to-read critique of Descartes' mind-body dualism. Addresses key philosophical issues of our time in an enjoyable and illuminating way.
The Concept Of Mind
Gilbert Ryle
University Of Chicago Press
Chicago, Illinois, 1949
Difficult reading, but Ryle's arguments against the existence of the mind are brilliantly stated and convincingly illustrated.
What Computers Can't Do
Hubert L. Dreyfus
Harper & Row
New York, New York, 1979 (revised)
This book is not about computers! It's about how we function as human beings and how our functioning differs from that of computers. Reviews leading theories of human existence and shows why each is mistaken or incomplete.
Biolinguistics
The Tree Of Knowledge
Humberto Maturana & Francisco Varela
Shambhala
Boston, Massachusetts, 1987
Reads like an eighth-grade biology text (with lots of pictures), but the ideas are all new and the implications are profound. The authors make complex ideas about language and biology simple enough for anyone to understand. A must read for anyone interested in Biolinguistics.
Understanding Computers And Cognition
Terry Winograd & Fernando Flores
Ablex Publishing
Norwood, New Jersey, 1986
Another important book that is more about human beings than computers. The first six chapters focus on the role of language in human life. The last six chapters show how this new understanding of human language has important implications for the design and use of computer technology.
The Language Of The Heart
James J. Lynch, Ph.D.
Basic Books
New York, New York, 1985
Shows how human dialogue--speaking and listening--dramatically affects our cardiovascular systems. Also shows how mind-body concepts are inadequate for understanding what truly happens inside human beings.
Habits Of The Heart
Robert Bellah, Richard Madsen, William Sullivan,
Ann Swidler, & Steven Tipton
Harper & Row
New York, New York, 1986
An entertaining and well-researched survey of American cultural values and traditions. Shows how the thoughts and ideas of a few specific individuals in the past continue to shape our thoughts, feelings, commitments, and behaviors today.
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Contexts
Shifting Contexts: The Generation Of Effective Psychotherapy
Guilford Press
New York, New York, 1987
Although written primarily for psychotherapists, this book is excellent for anyone interested in how philosophical and linguistic issues lie at the heart of all modern forms of psychotherapy.
The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People
Stephen R. Covey
Fireside (Simon & Schuster)
New York, New York, 1990
Covey reviews seven empowering contextual principles that can enhance your effectiveness on an individual, family, or organizational level. Well-written, enjoyable, and very informative.
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General
Imaginary Crimes: Why We Punish Ourselves And How To Stop
Lewis Engle, Ph.D. & Tom Ferguson, M.D.
Houghton Mifflin
Boston, Massachusetts, 1990
Reveals how parental messages and other childhood experiences can lead to dysfunction and "stress" in adulthood. Contains a list of more than 60 parental messages that can negatively impact upon people's health and well-being.
How To Stop Worrying And Start Living
Dale Carnegie
Pocket Books
New York, New York, 1985
A classic (first published in 1944) that's still very relevant today. Contains many good ideas and strategies for dealing with worry successfully.
Love Is Never Enough
Aaron T. Beck, M.D.
Harper & Row
New York, New York, 1988
A practical manual, showing how misconceptions, misunderstandings, and faulty communication patterns lead to marital disharmony and stress. Based on the clinical experiences of one of the leading psychotherapists alive today. Highly recommended!
Marital Myths
Arnold A. Lazarus, Ph.D.
Impact Publishers
San Luis Obispo, California, 1985
Arnold Lazarus, another distinguished psychotherapist and marriage counsellor, discusses 24 marital myths, including "husbands and wives should be best friends," "don't have sex when you're angry," and "marriage should be a 50-50 partnership."
The Road Less Traveled
M. Scott Peck, M.D.
Touchstone Books (Simon & Schuster)
New York, New York, 1978
One of the most popular self-help books ever written (on the New York Times best-seller list for more than 400 weeks and still counting!). Contains an excellent review of some of the common myths about love and romance that cause people to suffer and fail in their interpersonal relationships.
False Love
Stan J. Katz & Aimee E. Liu
Ticknor & Fields
New York, New York, 1988
Another superb book on relationships. Shows you what true love really is, how to distinguish it from false love, and how to create it with another person. Highly recommended!
You Just Don't Understand: Women And Men In Conversation
Deborah Tannen, Ph.D.
William Morrow & Company, Inc.
New York, New York, 1990
How women and men fail to appreciate each other's communication styles and needs. Shows how the childhood conditioning of boys and girls leads each to live in different "realities" about life, love, communication, intimacy, etc.
The Power Of Ethical Management
Kenneth Blanchard & Norman Vincent Peale
Fawcett Crest (Ballantine Books)
New York, New York, 1988
Ken Blanchard, co-author of The One-Minute Manager, combines with Norman Vincent Peale, author of The Power Of Positive Thinking, to produce a superb book on the value (both personal and financial) of ethics and honesty in business and management.
The Richest Man In Babylon
George S. Clason
Bantam Books
New York, New York, 1976
A short, wonderful book on achieving financial success and avoiding financial disasters. Set in the ancient city of Babylon, where Bansir, a poor chariot builder, learns to master the seven basic principles of financial success from Arkad, the richest man in Babylon. Highly recommended!
How To Raise Your Self-Esteem
Nathaniel Branden
Bantam Books
New York, New York, 1988
Nathaniel Branden, an international expert, has written numerous books on self-esteem. This is one of his best. Easy to read and very helpful.
The Good Enough Parent
Bruno Bettelheim
Alfred A. Knops Inc.
New York, New York, 1987
An excellent book on how to deal with common child-rearing problems. Bettelheim shows parents how to better understand the behavior and needs of their children. He also shows parents how to disrupt some of their automatic patterns of thinking and behaving that lead to unnecessary conflicts and power-struggles with their children. Highly recommended!
Rules For Raising Kids
Robert I. Lesowitz, M.D.
Charles C. Thomas
Springfield, Illinois, 1974
Also highly recommended! Lesowitz, a child-psychiatrist, discusses eight basic rules for dealing with kids successfully. He also discusses specific child-rearing problems such as discipline, lying, stealing, school problems, bed-wetting, eating problems, sex and drug education, and many others.
Why Smart People Fail
Carole Hyatt & Linda Gottlieb
Simon & Schuster
New York, New York, 1987
Based on interviews with 200 people (some very famous) who used major "failures" as spring-boards for future happiness and success. Filled with clear, practical, and inspiring coping strategies for dealing with setbacks in your life. Shows that "failure" is a conversation people have that often has little to do with the reality of their situation.
Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway
Susan Jeffers, Ph.D.
Harcourt Brace Janovich
New York, 1987
A book about how to deal with fear when it stops you from having what you want or deserve in life. Shows how to challenge faulty beliefs and disrupt limiting action patterns that keep you "stuck." Dr. Jeffer's advice also applies to the risks involved in learning how to "win" against stress.
The Way Of The Physician
Jacob Needleman
Harper & Row
New York, New York, 1985
Addresses the human side of medicine, especially the internal dilemmas and conflicts practicing physicians face. Needleman, a philosopher, talks about both the dreams and the realities of modern medicine. A must read for every physician and medical student.
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