Free Will In Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Part 1

The book is divided into two parts. The first part recounts Frankl's harrowing experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, between 1942 and 1945. He describes the inhumane conditions and the psychological and emotional struggles of the prisoners. The second part introduces Frankl's theory of logotherapy, which posits that the primary human drive is the search for meaning, rather than pleasure. Frankl argues that meaning can be found through three main avenues: work (doing something significant), love (caring for another), and suffering (finding meaning in one's own suffering). The book emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life, even in the most adverse conditions, as a key factor in survival and personal growth.

In this work, Mill provides a comprehensive explanation of utilitarianism, addressing its core principles and responding to various criticisms. He argues that happiness, understood as pleasure and the absence of pain, is the ultimate goal of ethical conduct. Mill distinguishes between higher and lower forms of happiness, preferring intellectual pleasures over bodily ones. He also discusses the compatibility of utilitarianism with individual rights and justice, arguing that justice has a utilitarian basis and that actions are right in proportion to their ability to promote general happiness.

In 'Free Will,' Sam Harris argues that the concept of free will is inherently flawed and incoherent. He contends that our thoughts, intentions, and actions are determined by prior causes outside our conscious control, whether these causes are deterministic or the result of chance. Harris uses examples such as the Cheshire murders to illustrate how even heinous crimes can be seen as the product of uncontrollable experiences and neurological mechanisms, rather than free will. The book challenges readers to reconsider their views on morality, law, and personal responsibility in light of this understanding.

In 'Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals', Kant seeks to discover and establish the fundamental principle of morality. He argues that the only thing that is unconditionally good is a good will, and its goodness is not based on the results of actions but on the principle of volition itself. Kant introduces the concept of the categorical imperative, which states that one must act only according to maxims that could be willed to become universal laws. He derives this principle from ordinary moral thought and philosophical points about the nature of duty, emphasizing that moral laws are synthetic a priori judgments that apply to rational beings irrespective of contingent aspects of their nature.

This book, written by Rory Miller, explores the gap between martial arts training and real-world violence. It delves into the dynamics of violence, the types of violence, the effects of adrenaline, and how criminals think. The book is divided into sections that cover critical thinking about violence, the realities of violent encounters, training methods, making physical defense work, and the aftermath of violent incidents. Miller draws on his extensive experience as a corrections officer and martial artist to provide practical advice on how to avoid, deescalate, and respond to violent situations.

Written in Latin between AD 397 and 400, 'Confessions' is a blend of autobiography, philosophy, theology, and critical exegesis of the Christian Bible. The first nine books are autobiographical, tracing Augustine's life from his birth to his conversion to Catholicism. He recounts his sinful youth, his involvement with Manicheism and Neoplatonism, and his eventual conversion in a Milanese garden. The last four books focus on philosophical and theological issues, including memory, time, eternity, and the interpretation of the Book of Genesis. The work is structured as a series of prayers to God, reflecting Augustine's journey of redemption and his understanding of God's grace and providence.