Psychological Richness As Breakthrough

Beschreibung

“This is a wonderful, powerful and important book. Hermans comprehensively re-evaluates the meaning of ‘success’, suggesting we shift from treating it as a toxic tunnel of individualism to understanding it instead as an interconnected and variegated landscape. Sharply observed, multidisciplinary, and drawing on a huge range of extensive research, this book has a sparkling lucidity that makes it both highly accessible and a joy to read.”

— Jo Littler, author of Against Meritocracy: Culture, Power and Myths of Mobility

“Inspired by his seminal work on Dialogical Self Theory, Hubert Hermans cleverly sheds light on the ‘success’ tunnel people get stuck in and reminds us of our inherent richness and capacity to create our passionate and relational path in life and work. The provocative, critical and yet smooth and engaging tone of the book is a true triumph in itself, beyond success!”

— Mahtab Janfada, Senior Lecturer in Languages and Literacies Education, University of Melbourne, Australia

This book explores how living in accordance with the main ideals (wealth, fame, social power) of our individualistic meritocratic society comes at the expense of our psychological richness. To protect or restore this richness, the mainstream conception of success has to be extended beyond the standard definition. The experience of success is too precious to keep it restricted within the imprisoning walls of the individualistic self. There are more ways to be successful. We have arrived in an era where success in life needs the inclusion of three main components: the “success of the other person,” the “diversity of our value system beyond economic values,” and “the survival success of nature". The book is distinctive in that it gives a profound treatment of the reasons why many people feel discontented about the restrictive emphasis on individual success and excellence. It deals not only with the limitations of meritocracy but also offers pathways to deal with them.

Hubert J.M. Hermans is the founder of Dialogical Self Theory and one of the most prominent figures in narrative psychology, based in The Netherlands. As full Professor of Psychology he was associated with the Radboud University of Nijmegen. In 2002 he was decorated as “Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion” for exceptional scientific achievements in the service of society. Hermans is the author of around 200 publications and his work has been translated into nine languages.  

This book explores how living in accordance with the main ideals (wealth, fame, social power) of our individualistic meritocratic society comes at the expense of our psychological richness. To protect or restore this richness, the mainstream conception of success has to be extended beyond the standard definition. The experience of success is too precious to keep it restricted within the imprisoning walls of the individualistic self. There are more ways to be successful. We have arrived in an era where success in life needs the inclusion of three main components: the “success of the other person,” the “diversity of our value system beyond economic values,” and “the survival success of nature". The book is distinctive in that it gives a profound treatment of the reasons why many people feel discontented about the restrictive emphasis on individual success and excellence. It deals not only with the limitations of meritocracy but also offers pathways to deal with them.

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Hubert J.M. Hermans

Themen in »Psychological Richness As Breakthrough«

Meritocracy Psychological richness Climate change Values Dialogical-self theory

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“This is a wonderful, powerful and important book. Hermans comprehensively re-evaluates the meaning of ‘success’, suggesting we shift from treating it as a toxic tunnel of individualism to understanding it instead as an interconnected and variegated landscape. Sharply observed, multidisciplinary, and drawing on a huge range of extensive research, this book has a sparkling lucidity that makes it both highly accessible and a joy to read.” (Jo Littler, author of “Against Meritocracy: Culture, Power and Myths of Mobility”)

“Inspired by his seminal work on Dialogical Self Theory, Hubert Hermans cleverly sheds light on the ‘success’ tunnel people get stuck in and reminds us of our inherent richness and capacity to create our passionate and relational path in life and work. The provocative, critical and yet smooth and engaging tone of the book is a true triumph in itself, beyond success!” (Mahtab Janfada, Senior Lecturer in Languages and Literacies Education at the University of Melbourne, Australia)

“This excellent book deals with perhaps the most fundamental question of our age: Why has the unbridled individual pursuit of material success and achievement not brought us the kind of happiness we expected? The unparalleled material achievements of our Western liberal societies since the Enlightenment have failed to produce the hoped-for contentment and fulfillment, and instead, signs of loneliness, isolation and despair abound. Are we in an evolutionary trap of our own making where our individualistic civilisation has inadvertently become the source of our unhappiness? Reviewing an extensive range of evidence, the book offers wise and practical advice about how human flourishing is best promoted by the broad and gentle pursuit of the rich landscape of human experiences, instead of the single-minded pursuit of meritocratic competition that our societies now emphasize. The book is full of intriguing ideas and should be of interest to student, academics and laypeople alike.” (Joseph Paul Forgas, Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia)

“In this well-framed and executed book, Hermans expands the common tropes of success—wealth, fame, and status—by arguing that these tropes focus too narrowly on the individual; they deny the roles that others play in or how others may benefit from supposed individual success. Ultimately, Hermans posits that developing one’s psychological richness enables us to recognize that success connects us to others, to a multiplicity of values, and to the world we inhabit. Rather than “What About Me?” he asks ‘What About Us?’” (Bob Fecho, Professor Emeritus, Teachers College, Columbia University & the University of Georgia, USA)

“This excellent book deals with perhaps the most fundamental question of our age: Why has the unbridled individual pursuit of material success and achievement not brought us the kind of happiness we expected? The unparalleled material achievements of our Western liberal societies since the Enlightenment have failed to produce the hoped-for contentment and fulfillment, and instead, signs of loneliness, isolation and despair abound. Are we in an evolutionary trap of our own making where our individualistic civilisation has inadvertently become the source of our unhappiness? Reviewing an extensive range of evidence, the book offers wise and practical advice about how human flourishing is best promoted by the broad and gentle pursuit of the rich landscape of human experiences, instead of the single-minded pursuit of meritocratic competition that our societies now emphasize. The book is full of intriguing ideas and should be of interest to student, academics and laypeople alike.” (Joseph P Forgas, Scientia Professor, UNSW Sydney, Australia)

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