Semantic Reactions

Episode 34 Featuring Martin Levinson

Jun 25, 2025
Martin H. Levinson, a longtime advocate for general semantics and author of the Sensible Thinking trilogy, dives into thought-provoking discussions with Lance Strate. They explore the relevance of general semantics in education and lifelong learning, linking it to trauma treatment and societal views on drugs. Levinson highlights how questioning stereotypes can combat prejudice and improve political discourse. Additionally, he shares insights on his writing process and the role of satire in learning, making for a captivating conversation on navigating complex topics.
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ANECDOTE

How He Found General Semantics

  • Martin Levinson recounts discovering general semantics in a Cooper Union course titled "How to Improve Your Thinking and Communicating Ability."
  • He read People and Quandaries and quickly became committed to studying and applying general semantics.
ADVICE

Choose Chapters By Interest

  • Read Sensible Thinking chapters out of order by scanning the table of contents and starting with what interests you.
  • Skip chapters that seem uninteresting and return later because standalone chapters can surprise you.
INSIGHT

Sensible Thinking As A Teaching Hook

  • Levinson equates sensible thinking with general semantics as a practical hook to teach broader ideas.
  • He argues the label "general semantics" needs explanation because it can mislead people to think it's only about word meanings.
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