Linda Elder

Liberating the Mind

Overcoming Sociocentric Thought and Egocentric Tendencies

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Critical thinking leader Linda Elder reveals sociocentric and egocentric thinking as foundational obstacles to thinking. Dissecting the very core of how humans learn, think, and choose to act, Liberating the Mind shows us how to free ourselves from dysfunctional patterns and achieve truly rational thought.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: The Foundation for Critical Thinking
• Seitenzahl: 256
• Erscheinungstermin: 13. Dezember 2019
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 235mm x 157mm x 18mm
• Gewicht: 528g
• ISBN-13: 9781538137628
• ISBN-10: 1538137623
• Artikelnr.: 57579355

Autorenporträt

Linda Elder 2991 Kenmore Place Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Inhaltsangabe

Foreword by Gerald Nosich Preface Chapter 1: The problem of Sociocentrism
Chapter 2: Manifestations of Sociocentric Thought in Human Societies
Chapter 3: Sociocentric Uses of Language Chapter 4: Sociocentric
Counterfeits of Ethical Reasoning Chapter 5: Sociocentric Thinking and
Egocentric Thinking in Interrelationship Chapter 6: Envisioning Critical
Societies Afterword by Richard Paul Appendix A: Some Basic Definition
Appendix B: The Logic of Sociocentric Thought Praise for the book: "In this
bracing book, Linda Elder delineates the destructive power of in-group bias
and the inability to see the world from other points of view, smashing
shibboleths along the way. The book offers useful exercises to help readers
think through their own preconceptions as well as those held by their
families, religions, and societies. A practical tool for those looking to
free their minds." -Doug Merlino, author of The Hustle 'Sociocentrism' is a
useful concept, embracing a host of ways in which we fail to give
sufficient weight to the interests of those beyond the borders of our own
group - whether that group is family, ethnic or religious group, or our own
species. I hope this book will stimulate its readers to think critically
about their sociocentric prejudices." -Peter Singer, author, Writings on an
Ethical Life and Animal Liberation "How easy it is to see the corrosive
effect of groupthink in others-over history or across borders. Linda Elder
wants more from us. She wants us to comprehend, in ourselves and in our own
time, just how much our fragile psyches are built of beliefs and opinions
that have value only as signs of group membership. Thinking for ourselves
may be the most difficult and courageous thing that we can learn to do. The
Emancipated Mind is the best guide I've read on the topic." -Ethan Watters,
Author of Crazy Like Us: The Globalization of the American Psyche "Human
beings are, above all, social animals. On the whole, this is a good thing,
but it can also lead to the kind of groupthink that poet William Blake
called 'mind-forged manacles.' The Emancipated Mind is a clarion call for
independent thinking and critical analysis. Using compelling examples,
Linda Elder illuminates the perils of sociocentric thought." -Mark
Pendergrast, author of Victims of Memory and other books "Many people
understand the drawbacks of egocentric thought. Less widely known, however,
is the downside at the other extreme: 'sociocentric' thought. Yet, as Linda
Elder shows so clearly, excessive group-orientation can dangerously deform
our thoughts, our lives, our planet. Read The Emancipated Mind and then
reflect on how sociocentric thought (actually, a failure of thought) has
influenced you and those around you. When it comes to counteracting this
insidious process, there is nothing better than good, clean, honest, hard,
serious and probing thought, and The Emancipated Mind is a superb handbook
for precisely this antidote." - David P. Barash, professor of psychology,
University of Washington, and author, most recently, of Homo mysterious:
evolutionary mysteries of human nature "The Emancipated Mind: Overcoming
Sociocentric Thought, by Linda Elder, provides a detailed and challenging
review and examination of critical thinking, and serves as an effective
guide toward careful and productive thought. Various patterns and pitfalls
of common cognitive practices are evaluated. Abundant examples are given of
human problems and failures resulting from actions based on self-centered
and group-centered thinking. Dr. Elder's many quotations from notable
thinkers provide interest and color . . . Linda Elder has done it again.
Her latest contribution is a very worthwhile treatise on the importance of
critical thinking. It will (and should) be widely distributed and read." -
Joseph Erwin, primatologist, editor and author of Captivity and Behavior