 but I have a question about this Gestalt Psychology you speak of. I looked up the book and it seems very interesting, I'm pickin' it up later today, but I'm not familiar with Gestalt Psychology, and the way you said "I'm not in the habit of recomending approaches based on Gestalt Psychology" makes me wonder why. I qualified my recommendation because Gestalt psychology is fundamentally flawed in its premises. While the notion of Gestalt as an integrated whole is of some interest, its view of man's mind and man's social context do not reflect proper philosophical principles. In fact, even though Gestalt originated as a reaction to behaviorism, some its roots are definitely Kantian. However, despite the evolution of gestalt, some of Wertheimer's research is of value, particularly in the context of the issue we were discussing. So, read the book highly critically and do not buy into the broad ideas, but some of the particular insights into creativity might be useful to you. Also, this brings me to the question of Psychology and its differences from Philosophy (or it's connection). Is psychology something that can be 'fixed' by a correct philosophy and can it be 'fixed' by oneself or is it something that relies on a trained professional? Philosophy studies the fundamental nature of man and existence in general, and thereby has much to say about man's mind and his means of acquiring knowledge. But psychology, as a science, studies not just the details of conscious processes, but it studies subconscious processes as well. As you learn more and more of the ideas of Objectivism you are better equipping your conscious mind with the ideas that it needs to judge, evaluate, and act in a manner that is proper to a rational man. Good philosophical ideas have the power to change your conscious convictions radically and dramatically, but your mind consists of more than just your conscious convictions. Your subconscious, from whence all emotion springs, holds the sum total of all of your earlier judgments and evaluations, many of which may be in conflict with your new conscious convictions. As a result you may find that the feelings you have may not reflect the ideas that you now hold. For instance, perhaps you will respond sexually to the type of woman that you disdain, and be impotent towards the type of woman that you consciously revere. Or, perhaps, you might lack the motivation you need to actively pursue something of great value, a career for instance. In order to be come harmonious -- in order to integrate together your new conscious convictions with your subconscious judgments -- you need to clearly identify the premises and motivations that you hold subconsciously, and thereby ferret them out in light of conscious judgment. For some this can be a difficult process, especially for those who have not been in touch with their subconscious over years of their life. The value of a good psychologist lies in assisting you to identify your underlying subconscious premises and emotions, and reprogramming your subconscious, so to speak, to reflect your conscious convictions. I've seen a psychologist before and it was very beneficial at the time and it helped me work out a lot, but since then I've become a student of my mind so that I can understand the err's of my pshychi myself. I've personally never made a distinction between my psychology and my philosophies...perhaps I'm uneducated on the subject but I've always understood the mind as something that one can control with the correct discipline (a correct philosophy). I'm 00 now with no formal education (other than highschool diploma) and I've gone from being a devout christian to following Toltec Indian beleifs to even Buddhism...now a door has been opened to infinite understanding of myself and how I interact with people just from me subscribing to Objectivism. Perhaps I'm confused on the subject, but I am currently under the impression that a disciplined philosophy is all one needs to handle the issues of now, your past, and the future (which includes psychological issues). Like many young people you seem to have been seeking some guidance in how to live your life, itself a recognition that both life and ideas matter. You can change your conscious convictions by the judicious study of Objectivism, but the process of ferreting out your earlier ideas and resulting feelings takes additional time and effort. You are correct that you can, and should, always assume conscious control of your actions and be guided by your premises, but you may continue to feel emotions that do not reflect the new premises you have. Psychology can be helpful to you in this regard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Release Posted August 00, 0000 Release Regulars 000 Location:Jacksonville, Fl Real Name:Michael Author Report Share Posted August 00, 0000 I qualified my recommendation because Gestalt psychology is fundamentally flawed in its premises. While the notion of Gestalt as an integrated whole is of some interest, its view of man's mind and man's social context do not reflect proper philosophical principles. In fact, even though Gestalt originated as a reaction to behaviorism, some its roots are definitely Kantian. However, despite the evolution of gestalt, some of Wertheimer's research is of value, particularly in the context of the issue we were discussing. So, read the book highly critically and do not buy into the broad ideas, but some of the particular insights into creativity might be useful to you. Philosophy studies the fundamental nature of man and existence in general, and thereby has much to say about man's mind and his means of acquiring knowledge. But psychology, as a science, studies not just the details of conscious processes, but it studies subconscious processes as well. 