TYPES OF FEMINISM
LIBERAL FEMINISM
Liberal feminism seeks equality between men and women through legal and political reform within the current system. It focuses on ensuring that women have equal rights, opportunities, and access to resources as men, particularly in areas such as
education, employment, and political participation.
• Gender inequality results from unequal access to rights and opportunities, not inherent differences between men and
women.
• Legal reforms, such as equal pay laws, anti-discrimination legislation, and reproductive rights, are essential for achieving
gender equality.
• Advocates gradual, incremental change within existing institutions (like the legal and political system).
CULTURAL FEMINISM
Cultural feminism emphasizes the differences between men and women, arguing that women’s unique experiences, values, and qualities (such as nurturing, empathy, and cooperation) should be celebrated and valued. Rather than striving for equality based
on sameness with men, cultural feminism promotes the idea that women's differences should be respected and even integrated
into society.
• Women and men have different qualities, but those qualities should be equally valued.
• Society should embrace traditionally "feminine" values, like caregiving, cooperation, and empathy, which are seen as positive and essential.
• Advocates for the protection of women’s spaces and the recognition of women’s cultural contributions (e.g., in art, literature, and caregiving)
RADICAL FEMINISM
Radical feminism argues that gender inequality is deeply rooted in the patriarchy, a system of male dominance that permeates all aspects of society. Radical feminists believe that this system must be dismantled entirely to achieve true gender equality. They see the oppression of women as the most fundamental form of oppression, underlying other forms of social inequality.
• Patriarchy is the root cause of women’s oppression, and society is structured to maintain male dominance.
• Gender roles and norms are socially constructed and must be challenged.
• Advocates for profound societal transformation, including changes to family structures, sexual norms, and
reproductive rights.
• Seeks to end practices that are seen as perpetuating women's oppression, such as objectification, pornography, and
certain forms of traditional marriage.
SOCIALIST FEMINISM
Socialist feminism combines feminist theory with Marxist analysis, arguing that capitalism and patriarchy are interrelated systems of oppression. Socialist feminists believe that both economic class and gender must be addressed simultaneously to achieve true equality.
• Capitalism exploits both men and women, but women face a "double burden" as they are often expected to perform unpaid domestic labor in addition to participating in the workforce.
• Gender inequality cannot be eradicated without addressing broader issues of economic inequality, class, and labor
exploitation.
• Advocates for the redistribution of wealth and the restructuring of the economy to ensure that women have equal economic opportunities and social support.
LIBERAL FEMINISM
Liberal feminism seeks equality between men and women through legal and political reform within the current system. It focuses on ensuring that women have equal rights, opportunities, and access to resources as men, particularly in areas such as
education, employment, and political participation.
• Gender inequality results from unequal access to rights and opportunities, not inherent differences between men and
women.
• Legal reforms, such as equal pay laws, anti-discrimination legislation, and reproductive rights, are essential for achieving
gender equality.
• Advocates gradual, incremental change within existing institutions (like the legal and political system).
CULTURAL FEMINISM
Cultural feminism emphasizes the differences between men and women, arguing that women’s unique experiences, values, and qualities (such as nurturing, empathy, and cooperation) should be celebrated and valued. Rather than striving for equality based
on sameness with men, cultural feminism promotes the idea that women's differences should be respected and even integrated
into society.
• Women and men have different qualities, but those qualities should be equally valued.
• Society should embrace traditionally "feminine" values, like caregiving, cooperation, and empathy, which are seen as positive and essential.
• Advocates for the protection of women’s spaces and the recognition of women’s cultural contributions (e.g., in art, literature, and caregiving)
RADICAL FEMINISM
Radical feminism argues that gender inequality is deeply rooted in the patriarchy, a system of male dominance that permeates all aspects of society. Radical feminists believe that this system must be dismantled entirely to achieve true gender equality. They see the oppression of women as the most fundamental form of oppression, underlying other forms of social inequality.
• Patriarchy is the root cause of women’s oppression, and society is structured to maintain male dominance.
• Gender roles and norms are socially constructed and must be challenged.
• Advocates for profound societal transformation, including changes to family structures, sexual norms, and
reproductive rights.
• Seeks to end practices that are seen as perpetuating women's oppression, such as objectification, pornography, and
certain forms of traditional marriage.
SOCIALIST FEMINISM
Socialist feminism combines feminist theory with Marxist analysis, arguing that capitalism and patriarchy are interrelated systems of oppression. Socialist feminists believe that both economic class and gender must be addressed simultaneously to achieve true equality.
• Capitalism exploits both men and women, but women face a "double burden" as they are often expected to perform unpaid domestic labor in addition to participating in the workforce.
• Gender inequality cannot be eradicated without addressing broader issues of economic inequality, class, and labor
exploitation.
• Advocates for the redistribution of wealth and the restructuring of the economy to ensure that women have equal economic opportunities and social support.
In gerontology, the home and community environments play a vital role in the well-being and quality of life for older adults. These environments can significantly influence physical, emotional, and social health as people age.
HOME ENVIRONMENT🏡🎋💝
🌺 AGING IN PLACE:
Many older adults prefer to remain in their homes as they age, which can promote a sense of independence and familiarity. Adapting homes with assistive technologies, such as grab bars, ramps, and smart home devices, ensures safety and accessibility.
🌺HOME CARE SERVICES:
Home-based care services like nursing, personal care, and home modifications help older adults with daily tasks, reducing the risk of institutionalization.
🌺SOCIAL CONNECTIONS:
For those aging in place, it is essential to maintain social connections. Isolation in the home environment can lead to loneliness and depression, making regular interactions with family, friends, or caregivers crucial.
🌺COMFORT AND SECURITY:
The home should provide a sense of comfort, security, and control, which becomes increasingly important in later life stages.
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT 🫂👵🏻💞
🌺AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES:
Communities designed to be age-friendly feature accessible transportation, safe walking paths, parks, and social spaces that encourage active aging. These communities can foster social interaction, physical activity, and mental well-being.
🌺SOCIAL SUPPORT NETWORKS:
Community centers, senior groups, and religious organizations provide opportunities for older adults to engage with peers, reducing isolation and promoting a sense of belonging.
🌺ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE:
Local health facilities that offer geriatric care, mental health services, and rehabilitation are crucial for supporting the aging population. Easy access to these services improves the quality of life and reduces health risks
🌺INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMS:
Communities that support interaction between different age groups can help foster mutual understanding, reduce ageism, and promote mental stimulation for older adults.
IMPORTANCE IN GERONTOLOGY:
🌻PHYSICAL HEALTH🌻
Both the home and community environments should promote physical well-being by encouraging mobility, safety, and access to health services.
🌻MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING🌻
Social engagement, community participation, and a supportive home environment are key to reducing anxiety, depression, and loneliness among older adults
🌻INDEPENDENCE AND AUTONOMY 🌻
Well-designed environments enhance the ability of older adults to maintain independence, which is a crucial aspect of their self-esteem and quality of life.
HOME ENVIRONMENT🏡🎋💝
🌺 AGING IN PLACE:
Many older adults prefer to remain in their homes as they age, which can promote a sense of independence and familiarity. Adapting homes with assistive technologies, such as grab bars, ramps, and smart home devices, ensures safety and accessibility.
🌺HOME CARE SERVICES:
Home-based care services like nursing, personal care, and home modifications help older adults with daily tasks, reducing the risk of institutionalization.
🌺SOCIAL CONNECTIONS:
For those aging in place, it is essential to maintain social connections. Isolation in the home environment can lead to loneliness and depression, making regular interactions with family, friends, or caregivers crucial.
🌺COMFORT AND SECURITY:
The home should provide a sense of comfort, security, and control, which becomes increasingly important in later life stages.
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT 🫂👵🏻💞
🌺AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES:
Communities designed to be age-friendly feature accessible transportation, safe walking paths, parks, and social spaces that encourage active aging. These communities can foster social interaction, physical activity, and mental well-being.
🌺SOCIAL SUPPORT NETWORKS:
Community centers, senior groups, and religious organizations provide opportunities for older adults to engage with peers, reducing isolation and promoting a sense of belonging.
🌺ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE:
Local health facilities that offer geriatric care, mental health services, and rehabilitation are crucial for supporting the aging population. Easy access to these services improves the quality of life and reduces health risks
🌺INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMS:
Communities that support interaction between different age groups can help foster mutual understanding, reduce ageism, and promote mental stimulation for older adults.
IMPORTANCE IN GERONTOLOGY:
🌻PHYSICAL HEALTH🌻
Both the home and community environments should promote physical well-being by encouraging mobility, safety, and access to health services.
🌻MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING🌻
Social engagement, community participation, and a supportive home environment are key to reducing anxiety, depression, and loneliness among older adults
🌻INDEPENDENCE AND AUTONOMY 🌻
Well-designed environments enhance the ability of older adults to maintain independence, which is a crucial aspect of their self-esteem and quality of life.
TRANSMARGINAL INHIBITION (TMI)
🏵️🏵️🏵️THE THREE STAGES 🏵️🏵️🏵️
Transmarginal inhibition (TMI) is a concept introduced by Ivan Pavlov to describe the body's response to overwhelming stress. It's essentially a protective mechanism that kicks in when an organism is subjected to excessive stimulation.
Pavlov identified three distinct stages of TMI:
1. EQUIVALENCY PHASE ⚖️
NORMAL RESPONSE
In this initial stage, the organism's response is proportional to the stimulus. A strong stimulus elicits a strong response, and a weak stimulus elicits a weak response. This is the typical, everyday functioning of the organism.
2. PARADOXICAL PHASE♾️
REVERSED RESPONSES
As the level of stimulation increases, the organism enters the paradoxical phase. Here, The relationship between stimulus and response becomes inverted. Strong stimuli elicit weak or no responses, while weak stimuli can produce exaggerated reactions. It's as if the organism is trying to compensate for the overwhelming stimulation by underreacting to strong input.
3.ULTRA PARADOXICAL PHASE ✅
COMPLETE REVERSAL
This is the most extreme stage of TMI. In the ultra paradoxical phase, there's a complete reversal of responses. Negative stimuli elicit positive responses, and vice versa. For instance, a painful stimulus might induce pleasure or laughter. This phase indicates a severe breakdown in the organism's ability to cope with stress.
IMPLICATIONS OF TMI
People vary greatly in their tolerance for stress, which determines when they enter the different
stages of TMI.
TMI is essentially a survival mechanism, preventing the organism from being overwhelmed.
Understanding TMI can provide insights into conditions like anxiety, burnout, and PTSD.
Chronic stress can lead to physical ailments, and TMI can help explain this connection.
EXAMPLES OF TMI IN EVERYDAY LIFE
✨Student exam stress
A student might experience increased anxiety as the exam approaches, leading to decreased
performance (paradoxical phase).
✨Burnout
A high-achieving professional might become increasingly irritable and withdrawn (ultra paradoxical phase).
✨Phobias
Avoidance behaviors in phobic individuals can be seen as a form of paradoxical response.
🏵️🏵️🏵️THE THREE STAGES 🏵️🏵️🏵️
Transmarginal inhibition (TMI) is a concept introduced by Ivan Pavlov to describe the body's response to overwhelming stress. It's essentially a protective mechanism that kicks in when an organism is subjected to excessive stimulation.
Pavlov identified three distinct stages of TMI:
1. EQUIVALENCY PHASE ⚖️
NORMAL RESPONSE
In this initial stage, the organism's response is proportional to the stimulus. A strong stimulus elicits a strong response, and a weak stimulus elicits a weak response. This is the typical, everyday functioning of the organism.
2. PARADOXICAL PHASE♾️
REVERSED RESPONSES
As the level of stimulation increases, the organism enters the paradoxical phase. Here, The relationship between stimulus and response becomes inverted. Strong stimuli elicit weak or no responses, while weak stimuli can produce exaggerated reactions. It's as if the organism is trying to compensate for the overwhelming stimulation by underreacting to strong input.
3.ULTRA PARADOXICAL PHASE ✅
COMPLETE REVERSAL
This is the most extreme stage of TMI. In the ultra paradoxical phase, there's a complete reversal of responses. Negative stimuli elicit positive responses, and vice versa. For instance, a painful stimulus might induce pleasure or laughter. This phase indicates a severe breakdown in the organism's ability to cope with stress.
IMPLICATIONS OF TMI
INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES💝People vary greatly in their tolerance for stress, which determines when they enter the different
stages of TMI.
PROTECTIVE MECHANISM💝TMI is essentially a survival mechanism, preventing the organism from being overwhelmed.
MENTAL HEALTH💝Understanding TMI can provide insights into conditions like anxiety, burnout, and PTSD.
PHYSICAL HEALTH💝Chronic stress can lead to physical ailments, and TMI can help explain this connection.
EXAMPLES OF TMI IN EVERYDAY LIFE
✨Student exam stress
A student might experience increased anxiety as the exam approaches, leading to decreased
performance (paradoxical phase).
✨Burnout
A high-achieving professional might become increasingly irritable and withdrawn (ultra paradoxical phase).
✨Phobias
Avoidance behaviors in phobic individuals can be seen as a form of paradoxical response.
Jung stresses that consciousness must have a say too; there must be a dialogue between the unconscious and consciousness. We cannot simply swallow uncritically what the unconscious says; we must also think about the level on which it wants to be realized.
~Marie-Louise von Franz
~Marie-Louise von Franz
❤2
🌀 7 timeless principles from one of the greatest psychotherapists in the world. (Carl Jung)
1. Embrace Your Shadow 🌑
We all have a dark side—the "Shadow"—the parts of us we hide from others (and sometimes from ourselves). Jung believed that by confronting and integrating our Shadow, we unlock greater self-awareness and emotional freedom.
Key Point: Ignoring your dark side is dangerous. Acknowledging it is the first step toward true personal growth.
2. Individuation: Become Who You Are 🌱
Jung’s concept of individuation is all about becoming your true self—distinct from societal expectations and pressures. It’s about breaking free from the masks we wear and discovering our authentic identity.
Golden Rule: The more you align with your true self, the more content and mentally healthy you become.
3. Dreams Are Messages from the Unconscious 💤
Jung was fascinated by dreams, seeing them as the mind’s way of communicating with the unconscious. He believed dreams offer insights into our desires, fears, and unresolved conflicts.
Insight: Start keeping a dream journal—those strange images and stories hold clues to your deepest psychological needs.
4. The Collective Unconscious Connects Us All 🌍
According to Jung, the collective unconscious is the shared reservoir of human experience, containing archetypes (universal symbols) that shape our thoughts and behaviors. It's why myths and legends from different cultures echo similar themes.
Powerful Idea: Recognizing our shared human experience fosters empathy, connection, and understanding.
5. Archetypes Define Our Roles in Life 🦸♂️👸
Jung identified archetypes like The Hero, The Mother, The Sage, and The Trickster—patterns of behavior that we all embody at different points in life. Understanding these roles helps us navigate challenges and find purpose.
Takeaway: Which archetype are you living right now? Understanding this helps you play your role better.
6. Symbols Have a Deeper Meaning 🌀
Jung believed that symbols—whether in art, religion, or personal experiences—carry profound meanings that resonate with our unconscious minds. These symbols act as guides, helping us understand life’s deeper truths.
Wisdom: Pay attention to recurring symbols in your life. They’re trying to tell you something important.
7. Wholeness Over Perfection ⚖️
Jung’s final principle is that true psychological health comes not from striving for perfection, but from seeking wholeness—embracing every part of ourselves, including our flaws, contradictions, and vulnerabilities.
Timeless Truth: Striving for perfection will leave you frustrated. Seek to be whole instead—it's the key to lasting peace.
1. Embrace Your Shadow 🌑
We all have a dark side—the "Shadow"—the parts of us we hide from others (and sometimes from ourselves). Jung believed that by confronting and integrating our Shadow, we unlock greater self-awareness and emotional freedom.
Key Point: Ignoring your dark side is dangerous. Acknowledging it is the first step toward true personal growth.
2. Individuation: Become Who You Are 🌱
Jung’s concept of individuation is all about becoming your true self—distinct from societal expectations and pressures. It’s about breaking free from the masks we wear and discovering our authentic identity.
Golden Rule: The more you align with your true self, the more content and mentally healthy you become.
3. Dreams Are Messages from the Unconscious 💤
Jung was fascinated by dreams, seeing them as the mind’s way of communicating with the unconscious. He believed dreams offer insights into our desires, fears, and unresolved conflicts.
Insight: Start keeping a dream journal—those strange images and stories hold clues to your deepest psychological needs.
4. The Collective Unconscious Connects Us All 🌍
According to Jung, the collective unconscious is the shared reservoir of human experience, containing archetypes (universal symbols) that shape our thoughts and behaviors. It's why myths and legends from different cultures echo similar themes.
Powerful Idea: Recognizing our shared human experience fosters empathy, connection, and understanding.
5. Archetypes Define Our Roles in Life 🦸♂️👸
Jung identified archetypes like The Hero, The Mother, The Sage, and The Trickster—patterns of behavior that we all embody at different points in life. Understanding these roles helps us navigate challenges and find purpose.
Takeaway: Which archetype are you living right now? Understanding this helps you play your role better.
6. Symbols Have a Deeper Meaning 🌀
Jung believed that symbols—whether in art, religion, or personal experiences—carry profound meanings that resonate with our unconscious minds. These symbols act as guides, helping us understand life’s deeper truths.
Wisdom: Pay attention to recurring symbols in your life. They’re trying to tell you something important.
7. Wholeness Over Perfection ⚖️
Jung’s final principle is that true psychological health comes not from striving for perfection, but from seeking wholeness—embracing every part of ourselves, including our flaws, contradictions, and vulnerabilities.
Timeless Truth: Striving for perfection will leave you frustrated. Seek to be whole instead—it's the key to lasting peace.
👍2
Psychology 101Basic (and necessary) Psychology Topics:
1. History of Psychology
Suggested Lecture(s) 🧑🏫
https://youtube.com/watch?v=_qqwq8EmTY4&feature=share8
Suggested Material(s) 📓
http://surl.li/iufql
2. Biology of Behaviour
Suggested Lecture(s)👨🏫
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbKSbFnKYVY01ztNtTS6MntPZtq_tJgrc&feature=share8
Suggested Material(s) 📓
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=
https://rb.gy/tvumw
3. Memory
Suggested Lecture(s) 👨🏫
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUQ8QDGvbAwi31mF1w4S-xSYrRQSO8W7G&feature=share8
Suggested Material(s) 📓
https://www.studocu.com/in/document/mahatma-gandhi-university/psychology/chapter-1-memory-psychology-notes/22912254
4. Motivation
Suggested Lecture(s)👨🏫
https://youtube.com/watch?v=L1d7b6vYvFk&feature=share8
Suggested Material(s)
http://surl.li/iufxl
5. Social Psychology
Suggested Lecture (s)👨🏫
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg999NlgHHrQpYnOpb7-61elKuP7HXPPa&feature=share8
Suggested Material(s)
http://surl.li/iugbt
6. Personality
Suggested Lecture(s) 👨🏫
https://youtube.com/watch?v=6ZUpATVxixk&feature=share8
Suggested Material(s) 📓
http://surl.li/iugft
7. Learning
Suggested Lecture(s) 👨🏫
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkKvotUGCyLdWmS-YBp58DTmjN3Q9nih0&feature=share8
Suggested Material(s) 📓
https://www.studocu.com/en-us/document/university-of-oklahoma/elements-of-psychology/chapter-6-notes-learning/1095968
8. Abnormal Psychology
Suggested Lecture(s) 👨🏫
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjo576VyjwCi4mtWaFLxnQGJnnWjTpwoU&feature=share8
Suggested Material(s) 📓
http://surl.li/iugku
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In order to do so, we need to reach a wider audience. Your support is appreciated.
Kindly share :)
Marcus Aurelius's Meditations was written as a personal guide to his own thoughts.
💡He stated the importance of looking inward rather than judging others.
He believed that we are often our own greatest source of ignorance, and that true wisdom comes from understanding and improving ourselves before turning our focus outward.
💡However, we can observe an epidemic of social media account holders as well as 'comment threads' where people judge & claim to know ultimate truth and often force this upon others.
Interestingly only some of Aurerlius' ideas made it to the modern world highlighting how people are deeply biased.
💡We have a world of 'thought privilege' where the methods of the dissemination of human-designed ideas seem to be largely left unexamined by the humans themselves.
Some forms of thought reign supreme, while the thoughts of all other citizens are relegated to impracticality and irrationality.
💡This is a problem seeing most citizens deserve the right to work life out.
I think we can learn a lot from revisiting one of the founding fathers of Western thought.
We have a Western debacle where there is a lack of intellectual humility, a lack of self-examination, and a lack of intellectual caution. This goes for all people not just those without a scientific degree.
💡Aurelius stressed that we should focus on mastering our own thoughts and actions, rather than trying to control or critique how others think. This highlights the Stoic idea that true wisdom and virtue come from within, through self-governance, rather than from forcing others to adopt our views.
Given that we find ourselves at a crossroads of thought policing, reading Meditations feels more relevant than ever.
It strikes me that we should all begin with this text as essential reading, learning how to turn our focus inward, and examining our own thinking faculties and flaws.
💡If we don’t, we risk descending into a dangerous path of social and intellectual chaos. Though I think we are already there.
💡He stated the importance of looking inward rather than judging others.
He believed that we are often our own greatest source of ignorance, and that true wisdom comes from understanding and improving ourselves before turning our focus outward.
💡However, we can observe an epidemic of social media account holders as well as 'comment threads' where people judge & claim to know ultimate truth and often force this upon others.
Interestingly only some of Aurerlius' ideas made it to the modern world highlighting how people are deeply biased.
💡We have a world of 'thought privilege' where the methods of the dissemination of human-designed ideas seem to be largely left unexamined by the humans themselves.
Some forms of thought reign supreme, while the thoughts of all other citizens are relegated to impracticality and irrationality.
💡This is a problem seeing most citizens deserve the right to work life out.
I think we can learn a lot from revisiting one of the founding fathers of Western thought.
We have a Western debacle where there is a lack of intellectual humility, a lack of self-examination, and a lack of intellectual caution. This goes for all people not just those without a scientific degree.
💡Aurelius stressed that we should focus on mastering our own thoughts and actions, rather than trying to control or critique how others think. This highlights the Stoic idea that true wisdom and virtue come from within, through self-governance, rather than from forcing others to adopt our views.
Given that we find ourselves at a crossroads of thought policing, reading Meditations feels more relevant than ever.
It strikes me that we should all begin with this text as essential reading, learning how to turn our focus inward, and examining our own thinking faculties and flaws.
💡If we don’t, we risk descending into a dangerous path of social and intellectual chaos. Though I think we are already there.
❤1
The OCEAN model, also known as the Big Five personality traits, is a widely accepted framework in psychology for understanding and categorizing human personality.
For a given person, each trait is ranked + = or -
+ the trait is strong
- the trait is weak
= the trait is average
Here's an overview of the five traits 👆
For a given person, each trait is ranked + = or -
+ the trait is strong
- the trait is weak
= the trait is average
Here's an overview of the five traits 👆
👍3👏1
PsychCorner
Interested in the whole article?
In 1958, a 20-year-old Hunter S. Thompson had a friend who was struggling to find meaning and purpose in life. Thompson wrote a letter to that friend (as featured in Shaun Usher’s Letters of Note), brilliantly articulating a lesson that can be derived from a wide range of philosophies, from Buddhism to existentialism. That lesson is this: to live meaningfully, don’t chase fixed, pre-given goals; instead, seek to cultivate a particular way of life… But what does this really mean? What way of life should I seek to cultivate? And why should I prioritize this over the achievement of goals? After beginning with the disclaimer that “all advice can only be a product of the person who gives it,” Thompson explains:
Every man is the sum total of his reactions to experience. As your experiences differ and multiply, you become a different man, and hence your perspective changes. This goes on and on. Every reaction is a learning process; every significant experience alters your perspective.So it would seem foolish, would it not, to adjust our lives to the demands of a goal we see from a different angle every day? How could we ever hope to accomplish anything other than galloping neurosis?The answer, then, must not deal with goals at all, or not with tangible goals, anyway… To put our faith in tangible goals would seem to be, at best, unwise. We do not strive to be firemen, we do not strive to be bankers, nor policemen, nor doctors. We strive to be ourselves.But don’t misunderstand me. I don’t mean that we can’t be firemen, bankers, or doctors — but that we must make the goal conform to the individual, rather than make the individual conform to the goal…
Goals are static, but we are not. If we seek to add meaning or purpose to our lives simply by fixing our gaze on some shiny new objective or achievement, we risk nailing ourselves down, clipping our own wings, denying who we might become. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have goals; it just means the goal shouldn’t come first, Thompson continues:
In every man, heredity and environment have combined to produce a creature of certain abilities and desires — including a deeply ingrained need to function in such a way that his life will be meaningful. A man has to be something; he has to matter.As I see it then, the formula runs something like this: a man must choose a path which will let his abilities function at maximum efficiency toward the gratification of his desires.In doing this, he is fulfilling a need (giving himself identity by functioning in a set pattern toward a set goal), he avoids frustrating his potential (choosing a path which puts no limit on his self-development), and he avoids the terror of seeing his goal wilt or lose its charm as he draws closer to it (rather than bending himself to meet the demands of that which he seeks, he has bent his goal to conform to his own abilities and desires).In short, he has not dedicated his life to reaching a pre-defined goal, but he has rather chosen a way of life he knows he will enjoy. The goal is absolutely secondary: it is the functioning toward the goal which is important.
Rather than build his life around certain goals, Thompson urges his friend to consider the harmony between his abilities and his desires. What is he good at? What does he enjoy doing? What activities does he value? And what activities do you value? Creating things? Helping people? Reading? Writing? Number crunching? Being outdoors? Being with animals? Singing? Dancing? Gardening? Playing sport? Traveling? Learning? Building? Painting? Interacting with others? Simplifying? Predicting? Designing? Fixing? Cooking? Challenging yourself? Goals provide structure, an organizing framework; but, if we don’t enjoy or value the activities that come with completing those goals, then we’re unlikely to live very happy or fulfilling lives.
Continued below..
Every man is the sum total of his reactions to experience. As your experiences differ and multiply, you become a different man, and hence your perspective changes. This goes on and on. Every reaction is a learning process; every significant experience alters your perspective.So it would seem foolish, would it not, to adjust our lives to the demands of a goal we see from a different angle every day? How could we ever hope to accomplish anything other than galloping neurosis?The answer, then, must not deal with goals at all, or not with tangible goals, anyway… To put our faith in tangible goals would seem to be, at best, unwise. We do not strive to be firemen, we do not strive to be bankers, nor policemen, nor doctors. We strive to be ourselves.But don’t misunderstand me. I don’t mean that we can’t be firemen, bankers, or doctors — but that we must make the goal conform to the individual, rather than make the individual conform to the goal…
Goals are static, but we are not. If we seek to add meaning or purpose to our lives simply by fixing our gaze on some shiny new objective or achievement, we risk nailing ourselves down, clipping our own wings, denying who we might become. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have goals; it just means the goal shouldn’t come first, Thompson continues:
In every man, heredity and environment have combined to produce a creature of certain abilities and desires — including a deeply ingrained need to function in such a way that his life will be meaningful. A man has to be something; he has to matter.As I see it then, the formula runs something like this: a man must choose a path which will let his abilities function at maximum efficiency toward the gratification of his desires.In doing this, he is fulfilling a need (giving himself identity by functioning in a set pattern toward a set goal), he avoids frustrating his potential (choosing a path which puts no limit on his self-development), and he avoids the terror of seeing his goal wilt or lose its charm as he draws closer to it (rather than bending himself to meet the demands of that which he seeks, he has bent his goal to conform to his own abilities and desires).In short, he has not dedicated his life to reaching a pre-defined goal, but he has rather chosen a way of life he knows he will enjoy. The goal is absolutely secondary: it is the functioning toward the goal which is important.
Rather than build his life around certain goals, Thompson urges his friend to consider the harmony between his abilities and his desires. What is he good at? What does he enjoy doing? What activities does he value? And what activities do you value? Creating things? Helping people? Reading? Writing? Number crunching? Being outdoors? Being with animals? Singing? Dancing? Gardening? Playing sport? Traveling? Learning? Building? Painting? Interacting with others? Simplifying? Predicting? Designing? Fixing? Cooking? Challenging yourself? Goals provide structure, an organizing framework; but, if we don’t enjoy or value the activities that come with completing those goals, then we’re unlikely to live very happy or fulfilling lives.
Continued below..
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I might get some short-lived pleasure from ‘achieving’ a promotion, but if that promotion then takes me away from the activities I enjoy performing, the challenges I relish overcoming, the problems I value solving, then I should think carefully about what a promotion actually ‘achieves’ for me here. If we want to keep our lives purposeful, meaningful, and enjoyable, our choices should be guided not by what convention might value — more money, status, power — but by how we actually want to spend our days. As Thompson puts it:
…it seems almost ridiculous to say that a man must function in a pattern of his own choosing; for to let another man define your own goals is to give up one of the most meaningful aspects of life — the definitive act of will which makes a man an individual.A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance. So if you now number yourself among the disenchanted, then you have no choice but to accept things as they are, or to seriously seek something else. But beware of looking for goals: look for a way of life. Decide how you want to live and then see what you can do to make a living within that way of life.
Perhaps one reaction to this line of thinking might be: but what if I don’t know how I want to live? What then? Thompson anticipates this very response from his friend:
But you say, ‘I don’t know where to look; I don’t know what to look for.’ And there’s the crux. Is it worth giving up what I have to look for something better? I don’t know — is it? Who can make that decision but you? But even by deciding to look, you go a long way toward making the choice.I’m not trying to send you out ‘on the road’ in search of Valhalla, but merely pointing out that it is not necessary to accept the choices handed down to you by life as you know it. There is more to it than that — no one has to do something they don’t want to do for the rest of their lives…
We might not have the answers straight away, we might not be sure of what we want to do; but that doesn’t mean we have to settle for whatever we’ve been allotted by circumstance. After all, the first step to securing a better way of life is deciding to cultivate one… In prioritizing the quality of processes over the pursuit of particular outcomes, Thompson’s advice is rooted in fertile philosophical ground, bringing to mind Nietzsche on what it means to find yourself, the Buddha on the danger of identity, Kierkegaard on living forwards, the Stoic dichotomy of control, Sartre on ‘bad faith’, Heidegger on authenticity, Iris Murdoch on unselfing, and Kieran Setiya on setting better resolutions. What do you make of Thompson’s advice?
…it seems almost ridiculous to say that a man must function in a pattern of his own choosing; for to let another man define your own goals is to give up one of the most meaningful aspects of life — the definitive act of will which makes a man an individual.A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance. So if you now number yourself among the disenchanted, then you have no choice but to accept things as they are, or to seriously seek something else. But beware of looking for goals: look for a way of life. Decide how you want to live and then see what you can do to make a living within that way of life.
Perhaps one reaction to this line of thinking might be: but what if I don’t know how I want to live? What then? Thompson anticipates this very response from his friend:
But you say, ‘I don’t know where to look; I don’t know what to look for.’ And there’s the crux. Is it worth giving up what I have to look for something better? I don’t know — is it? Who can make that decision but you? But even by deciding to look, you go a long way toward making the choice.I’m not trying to send you out ‘on the road’ in search of Valhalla, but merely pointing out that it is not necessary to accept the choices handed down to you by life as you know it. There is more to it than that — no one has to do something they don’t want to do for the rest of their lives…
We might not have the answers straight away, we might not be sure of what we want to do; but that doesn’t mean we have to settle for whatever we’ve been allotted by circumstance. After all, the first step to securing a better way of life is deciding to cultivate one… In prioritizing the quality of processes over the pursuit of particular outcomes, Thompson’s advice is rooted in fertile philosophical ground, bringing to mind Nietzsche on what it means to find yourself, the Buddha on the danger of identity, Kierkegaard on living forwards, the Stoic dichotomy of control, Sartre on ‘bad faith’, Heidegger on authenticity, Iris Murdoch on unselfing, and Kieran Setiya on setting better resolutions. What do you make of Thompson’s advice?
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Imagine if you were walking on a dark street in a dangerous neighborhood and a man in his forties with deadly intent in his eyes sprung growling from a dark alley with stranglers hands aimed at your throat.
Then he stopped, relaxed, and started talking calmly to you. I just described a two second scene.
Then after 10 minutes, he launched another growling one second lunge at you. And stopped.
I interviewed that man for a social issue completely unrelated to his Tourette's.
He introduced himself and sat down.
“Before we start”, he explained, “I need to tell you that I have Tourette's syndrome. You are perfectly safe but it might seem like I am lunging at you. Do not worry. It only lasts a few seconds and I won't touch you”, he said. Continued Below
Then he stopped, relaxed, and started talking calmly to you. I just described a two second scene.
Then after 10 minutes, he launched another growling one second lunge at you. And stopped.
I interviewed that man for a social issue completely unrelated to his Tourette's.
He introduced himself and sat down.
“Before we start”, he explained, “I need to tell you that I have Tourette's syndrome. You are perfectly safe but it might seem like I am lunging at you. Do not worry. It only lasts a few seconds and I won't touch you”, he said. Continued Below
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Okay, whatever. We started the interview. We were separated by my desk.
After 10–15 minutes, quite suddenly his eyes took on a demented look, he raised his clutching hands, and lunged … he lifted himself perhaps 3–4 inches out of his seat, then stopped.
He would have seen my eyes open wide but I was unmoved. He did it once more. I handled it with aplomb.
We finished up, I noted his file with the substantive facts of his request, and move on. It was interesting but not especially amusing.
I went to lunch with some colleagues and, of course, imitated him. They burst out in laughter.
After 10–15 minutes, quite suddenly his eyes took on a demented look, he raised his clutching hands, and lunged … he lifted himself perhaps 3–4 inches out of his seat, then stopped.
He would have seen my eyes open wide but I was unmoved. He did it once more. I handled it with aplomb.
We finished up, I noted his file with the substantive facts of his request, and move on. It was interesting but not especially amusing.
I went to lunch with some colleagues and, of course, imitated him. They burst out in laughter.
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Here’s a story most people not practicing in the field of psychology are unaware of.
There was a group of second year med students. As an experiment, their Professor had each of them buy a copy of the DSM. They were instructed to read it and write a mid-term paper on which diagnosis they thought they had.
Over 90% wrote that they thought they had Schizophrenia. Obviously, nothing could be further from the truth.
I tell you this story as a way of explaining some things that most lay people do not understand. The language and terminology in the DSM is not intended for those not trained in its interpretation specifically for psych purposes.
So, NO most people are NOT neurodivergent.
NO, not everyone you’ve had a bad break-up with is a narcissist.
NO, not everyone has Dissociative Identity Disorder.
Please stop believing everything you see by non-licensed “therapists” posted on the internet.
There was a group of second year med students. As an experiment, their Professor had each of them buy a copy of the DSM. They were instructed to read it and write a mid-term paper on which diagnosis they thought they had.
Over 90% wrote that they thought they had Schizophrenia. Obviously, nothing could be further from the truth.
I tell you this story as a way of explaining some things that most lay people do not understand. The language and terminology in the DSM is not intended for those not trained in its interpretation specifically for psych purposes.
So, NO most people are NOT neurodivergent.
NO, not everyone you’ve had a bad break-up with is a narcissist.
NO, not everyone has Dissociative Identity Disorder.
Please stop believing everything you see by non-licensed “therapists” posted on the internet.