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Preface
This book continues my work on practical philosophy started in Perspectives. Although some of the topics are inter-related, they can be read independently. Much of the material is presented in notebook form with brief explanations and concise arguments in selected areas. As with the earlier work, the material is primarily experience based, though not necessarily directly my own. It differs, however, in that the topics concern problems that people are likely to encounter rather than philosophical issues they might consider only if they stopped to think.
Perhaps the closest academic area related to the material in this book is that of psychology as it is concerned with individual human thinking and behaviour, but in my experience, it is impossible to compartmentalise problems to the exclusion of other disciplines and relevant thoughts may be associated with any field. In keeping with all of my work, I have attempted to avoid specialised language wherever possible.
In a few areas, a semi-religious perspective may also be included. I make no apology for this, as the integrity of personal behaviour cannot be separated from whatever the person believes in, and the scriptures of all the major religions contain material that is also of practical use. In this respect my apparent preference for particular sources is incidental to my familiarity with them.
The book is not written to offer magic answers to any of the reader’s problems, although if one emerges in an individual case I would be very happy for them. Rather I hope it may help to orient them to the issue in question from a more universal perspective whereby they can see their own situations more objectively, and possibly start asking further questions that could lead to a deeper and more lasting solution.
The major part of this book emerged from my interaction with real people whose lives were beset with a variety of problems in the areas discussed, and my reason for not acknowledging them individually by name is to preserve their privacy. Nevertheless, I remain indebted to them for their confidence and to others who offered their constructive criticism. I trust that readers will find some useful thoughts in the pages that follow.
C.E.J.
February 2008
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