[From Dag Forssell (2016.05.16 21:00 PDT)]
Eight weeks ago, Gary Cziko wrote me
One of the best books I’ve read in a long time is A Guide to the
Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by philosopher Wm. B. Irvine.
Seems very consistent with PCT and lots of practical ideas for obtaining
tranquility in life (sounds like good perceptual control to me). I think
you would like this book.
So I ordered it and have read it. I find it consistent with PCT
indeed:
Internal conflict is avoided by careful selection of high-level reference
signals.
The name of the game is to live contented, without chronic high-level
error signals.
The outcome is consistent joy of living.
The book certainly holds advice on living well. It also deals with
death–of friends and family along the way, as well as your own.
Regarding the latter, another work our daughters introduced us (Christine
and myself) to is Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the
End by Atul Gawande.
To me, these two books complement each other. Both works have been very
helpful as I reflect on life, PCT, and what I may still
accomplish.
Best to all,
Dag
Dag,
Bill Leach here. I just found you guys again... after about a 20
year hiatus. Is Ed Ford still around? Is there a way that I can
contact you?
Bill
wrleach<at>cableone.net
···
On 05/16/2016 09:59 PM, Dag Forssell
wrote:
[From Dag Forssell (2016.05.16 21:00 PDT)]
Eight weeks ago, Gary Cziko wrote me
One of the best books I’ve read in a long time is * A
Guide to the
Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy* by philosopher
Wm. B. Irvine.
Seems very consistent with PCT and lots of practical ideas
for obtaining
tranquility in life (sounds like good perceptual control to
me). I think
you would like this book.
So I ordered it and have read it. I find it consistent with PCT
indeed:
Internal conflict is avoided by careful selection of high-level
reference
signals.
The name of the game is to live contented, without chronic
high-level
error signals.
The outcome is consistent joy of living.
The book certainly holds advice on living well. It also deals
with
death–of friends and family along the way, as well as your own.
Regarding the latter, another work our daughters introduced us
(Christine
and myself) to is * Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in
the
End* by Atul Gawande.
To me, these two books complement each other. Both works have
been very
helpful as I reflect on life, PCT, and what I may still
accomplish.
Best to all,
Dag
[From Erling Jorgensen (2016.05.17 0835 EDT)]
Bill, it’s nice to know you are still around. I have missed your trenchant commentary!
Back on topic, the books Gary & Dag mention both sound interesting. As a therapist I have often discussed with clients that they essentially have two basic options to change the dynamics of a situation. They can “do something else,” to try to bring about a different (perceptual) outcome. Or they can “want something else,” to adjust what they are choosing to more closely match what they are getting.
All the best,
Erling
Bill Leach wrleach@cableone.net 5/17/2016 3:04 AM >>>
Dag,
Bill Leach here. I just found you guys again… after about a 20 year hiatus. Is Ed Ford still around? Is there a way that I can contact you?
Bill
wrleachcableone.net
···
On 05/16/2016 09:59 PM, Dag Forssell wrote:
[From Dag Forssell (2016.05.16 21:00 PDT)]
Eight weeks ago, Gary Cziko wrote me
One of the best books I’ve read in a long time is A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by philosopher Wm. B. Irvine. Seems very consistent with PCT and lots of practical ideas for obtaining tranquility in life (sounds like good perceptual control to me). I think you would like this book.
So I ordered it and have read it. I find it consistent with PCT indeed:
Internal conflict is avoided by careful selection of high-level reference signals.
The name of the game is to live contented, without chronic high-level error signals.
The outcome is consistent joy of living.
The book certainly holds advice on living well. It also deals with death–of friends and family along the way, as well as your own.
Regarding the latter, another work our daughters introduced us (Christine and myself) to is Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande.
To me, these two books complement each other. Both works have been very helpful as I reflect on life, PCT, and what I may still accomplish.
Best to all,
Dag
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