Understanding Life

by Alfred Adler

An inspiring work that offers direction and wise counsel for increasing awareness of self, one's motivations, and the importance of each person's unique contribution to society. First published in 1926 as The Science of Living, Alfred Adler's Understanding Life provides a straightforward and common-sense system for learning more about ourselves, the reasons for our behavior, and ways to change for the better. Adler provides guidelines for discovering how our beliefs--our "private logic"--hold us back, as well as useful tools for breaking free of this negative thinking. Stressing individual uniqueness and creative ability as well as the importance of common sense, Adler shows us how to work toward our goals without worrying about the outcome. "Self-worth depends not on ultimate success," he writes, "but on doing one's best. What's important is not the abilities and advantages we have, but what we do with what we are given." Acknowledging that service to others is a key component in individual healing and growth, Adler further emphasizes our responsibility to contribute to the common good. Understanding Life offers both an ideal vision for humankind's future and the guidelines for personal growth and social responsibility that will help us contribute to that future's realization. "We are all goal-directed," he writes, "attracted by a future which we ourselves create." About the A contemporary of Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler was born in a Vienna suburb to a Jewish grain merchant. After becoming a medical doctor, Adler went on to found individual psychology and write more than 300 books and papers on child psychology, marriage, education, and the principles of individual psychology. Adler died in 1937 and is recognized along with Freud and Jung as one of the three great fathers of modern psychotherapy. About the Colin Brett is an accredited Adlerian counselor and former Training Officer of the Adlerian Society of Great Britain. He currently works as a freelance management consultant and Adlerian Counselor Trainer. He translated Adler's Understanding Human Nature and edited What Life Could Mean to You. The Adler Collection is also available to you which includes Understanding Life as well as the following two Understanding Human Nature which is as relevant today as when written, this timely reprint of a classic in individual psychology shows the way to increased understanding of ourselves and our role in society; and What Life Could Mean To You where he examines a wide range of themes common to all our lives, including family and school influences; adolescent development; feelings of superiority and inferiority; the importance of cooperation; the "problems of work, friendship, and love and marriage; and the individual and society.

Genres: Psychology, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychoanalysis, Personal Development, Counselling

148 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1933

About the author

Austrian psychiatrist Alfred Adler rejected emphasis of Sigmund Freud on sexuality; his theories that personality arises in subconscious efforts and that from overcompensation for perceived inferiority results neurotic behavior and psychological illness base an Adlerian psychological school.

People recognize emphasis of this medical doctor, psychotherapist, and founder of individual on the importance of the complex as isolating an element, which plays a key role in development.

This Viennese of the best-known in the western world held a chair in the United States of America. His special merit made clear the interaction between external influences and internal dispositions. He therefore pioneered a holistic approach.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_...

Reviews

[Lucie Strouhalová]

Adler se v knize zabývá pojmy jako např. komplex méněcennosti, sexuální perverze, snění, výchova dětí atp. Zdůrazňuje zejména vliv výchovy a událostí z raného dětství (např. pořadí mezi sourozenci) na formování osobnosti člověka: důležité jsou především nejstarší vzpomínky z dětství, na základě kterých se utváří životní postoj. Dále se Adler často odvolává na ,,pocit sounáležitosti" s druhými lidmi, jehož nedostatek vede k selhání životě (tedy k závislosti na alkoholu, sebevraždě apod.). V závěru knihy se pak autor snaží popsat podstatu života, která podle něj spočívá ve spolupráci s ostatními lidmi a ve vytváření hodnot, které přispívají k blahu celého lidstva.

Knihu hodnotím průměrně: některé myšlenky mi přišly zastaralé, nicméně občas mě zaujaly zajímavé souvislosti, např. to, jak jisté události z dětství ovlivňují povahu člověka.

[Bela]

Adolf Adler patří k výrazným psychologům, z jehož teoretických systémů čerpá vývojová psychologie i psychologie osobnosti 20.st. Ve svém díle se zaobíral zejména takovými tématy jako komplex méněcennosti a nadřazenosti, touha po moci, rozmazlování či zanedbávání dětí či důležitosti pořadí mezi sourozenci. Kniha se mi docela líbila, i když některé teze nesou známky své doby a mě jsou cizí: Adler neustále opakuje varování před zhýčkáním dítěte a já si kladla otázku, co a jak tedy ve výchově dělat. Kolik citu je příliš a kolik zase málo. V podstatě pravděpodobnost že svou výchovou (hlavně silně pozitivní) vychováte neurotika je podle Adlerových kritérií téměř jistota.