Human Excellence and an Ecological Conception of the Psyche

by John Hanwell Riker

Overview

This book explores the possibility of grounding the idea of human excellence, which has traditionally been associated with hierarchical systems, on an ecological structuring of the psyche. Riker bases his concept on recent work in psychoanalytic theory, emotion theory, sociobiology, ethnogenic social psychology, and feminism, as well as on the insights of such philosophers as Aristotle, Nietzsche, Whitehead, Heidegger, and Wittgenstein.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780791405192
Publisher:	State University of New York Press
Publication date:	07/03/1991
Pages:	239
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

John H. Riker is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Philosophy at The Colorado College, Colorado Springs.

Table of Contents

Preface


1. Introduction: How Are We To Do Ethics?


Part I: Memory


2. Happiness
3. Death of a Psyche
4. Ideals


Part II: Psyche


5. Basic Needs
6. Emotions, Capacities, Character
7. The Making of Psyche


Part III: Excellence


8. Ecological Thinking
9. Ecological Speaking
10. Ecological Dwelling
11. Heroines and Heroes of the Future


Notes


Index

Editorial Reviews

Explores the possibility of grounding the idea of human excellence, which has traditionally been associated with hierarchal systems, on an ecological structuring of the psyche. Riker bases his concept on recent work in psychoanalytic theory, emotion theory, sociobiology, ethnogenic social psychology, and feminism, as well as on the insights of such philosophers as Aristotle, Nietzsche, Whitehead, Heidegger, and Wittgenstein. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"This book has the power to change lives. It speaks to urgent present concerns, yet very effectively draws upon ancient wisdom. In our bureaucratized 'organizational America,' it convincingly awakens the reader to his/her individual worth and dignity by focusing (as did the ancient Greeks) on the problem that every person is to himself or herself.

"It is a significant contribution to the recent and growing interest among philosophers in what has come to be called 'virtue ethics,' as distinct from the orthodox 'ethics of duty.' Riker is the first to see clearly that the foundational problem, in this perspective, is integrity. He is original in proposing ecological organization as the solution against ancient Greek hierarchical ordering. This aligns him with some of the best recent feminist thinking (e.g., Gilligan, Nel Noddings)." — David L. Norton, University of Delaware

From the Publisher