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Developing the Horizons of the Mind: Relational and Contextual Reasoning and the Resolution of Cognitive Conflict
This book is about Relational and Contextual Reasoning (RCR), a new theory of the human mind that addresses key areas of human conflict, such as the ideological conflict between nations, in close relationships and between science and religion. K. Helmut Reich provides a clear and accessible introduction to the RCR way of thinking that encourages an inclusive rather than oppositional approach to conflict and problem-solving.
238 pages, Hardcover
First published August 31, 1998
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August 5, 2013
This book is gold for the perspective it lends to how our reasoning process affects our worldview. Though the book is a little technical, what it all boils down to is that some types of reasoning are more complete and more mature that others.
His studies showed that the least mature reasoners see things only in black and white - "either/or" categories. This is the binary logic around which computers are designed. It is not mature reasoning, and it obviously does not take into account the full capacities of our complex human minds.
Reich lays out five levels of increasingly complex reasoning, the upper levels of which accept the necessary paradoxes of our existence, admit that some issues do not have a clear, simple solution, and tend to see things in their full complexity as "both/and" situations as opposed to forcing things into simplistic "either/or" categories.
A person capable of the more mature reasoning levels will not be swayed by simplistic slogans, such as are typical of the religious right, certain political groups, and some types of advertizing. These often promote their own viewpoint by "dumbing down" their messages and discouraging critical reasoning among their listeners. A person who has been invited to Develop the Relational and Contextual Horizons of the Mind will recognize the necessarily paradoxical nature of our reality, and will resist being swayed by simplistic insults to our human reasoning skills.
His studies showed that the least mature reasoners see things only in black and white - "either/or" categories. This is the binary logic around which computers are designed. It is not mature reasoning, and it obviously does not take into account the full capacities of our complex human minds.
Reich lays out five levels of increasingly complex reasoning, the upper levels of which accept the necessary paradoxes of our existence, admit that some issues do not have a clear, simple solution, and tend to see things in their full complexity as "both/and" situations as opposed to forcing things into simplistic "either/or" categories.
A person capable of the more mature reasoning levels will not be swayed by simplistic slogans, such as are typical of the religious right, certain political groups, and some types of advertizing. These often promote their own viewpoint by "dumbing down" their messages and discouraging critical reasoning among their listeners. A person who has been invited to Develop the Relational and Contextual Horizons of the Mind will recognize the necessarily paradoxical nature of our reality, and will resist being swayed by simplistic insults to our human reasoning skills.
Displaying 1 of 1 review