Frankl examines the role of moral concepts in the life of societies and points to the interaction between neurotic and psychotic disturbances in individuals and the pathologies which periodically overwhelm societies. moral values in the civilisation of the West and an upsurge of antisocial, destructive behaviour. When the moral directives upheld by a culture cease to be convincing, anti-moral attitudes of defiance will arise and an increasing number of people turn to crime, violence and murder, and an unrestrained self-interest and greed, with a profound weakening of social conscience, will dominate the fabric of societies. Frankl asks why morality is necessary in the human species and examines its biological and psychological origins. Humans are no longer controlled by genetically programmed instincts. With the expansion of the pre-frontal lobes of the brain, humans have to acquire values which guide their actions, an inner representation of right and wrong, of good and bad, which, in order to be convincing, have to be given what appears to be universal validity in the form of moral ideas.
"Foundations of Morality" describes how these mental presentations are projected upon gods, priests and kings, who become symbolic representations of moral certainties, of rules and taboos to which men have to defer. The Enlightenment of Western civilisation undermined the belief in those symbols of omnipotence and righteousness, and they were replaced by secular ideologies. But now these ideologies of the Enlightenment have also been discredited and defeated. Hence the sense of rudderlessness and outrage against morality which has misled our civilisation, and the "murder of the father" who has betrayed his sons. In the philosophical section of this book, Frankl attempts a rational reconstruction of moral ideas based on an understanding of man's emotional needs.
Frankl examines the role of moral concepts in the life of societies and points to the interaction between neurotic and psychotic disturbances in individuals and the pathologies which periodically overwhelm societies. moral values in the civilisation of the West and an upsurge of antisocial, destructive behaviour. When the moral directives upheld by a culture cease to be convincing, anti-moral attitudes of defiance will arise and an increasing number of people turn to crime, violence and murder, and an unrestrained self-interest and greed, with a profound weakening of social conscience, will dominate the fabric of societies. Frankl asks why morality is necessary in the human species and examines its biological and psychological origins. Humans are no longer controlled by genetically programmed instincts. With the expansion of the pre-frontal lobes of the brain, humans have to acquire values which guide their actions, an inner representation of right and wrong, of good and bad, which, in order to be convincing, have to be given what appears to be universal validity in the form of moral ideas.
"Foundations of Morality" describes how these mental presentations are projected upon gods, priests and kings, who become symbolic representations of moral certainties, of rules and taboos to which men have to defer. The Enlightenment of Western civilisation undermined the belief in those symbols of omnipotence and righteousness, and they were replaced by secular ideologies. But now these ideologies of the Enlightenment have also been discredited and defeated. Hence the sense of rudderlessness and outrage against morality which has misled our civilisation, and the "murder of the father" who has betrayed his sons. In the philosophical section of this book, Frankl attempts a rational reconstruction of moral ideas based on an understanding of man's emotional needs.
George Frankl, practising psychoanalyst, has lectured on psychoanalysis and philosophy, at various universities, as well as on prehistoric cultures and architectural psychology, and has written many articles and books. But while actively engaged in writing, lecturing and his work as a psychotherapist, he has been concerned with the social neurosis and determined to find an explanation for the compulsions which drive nations to pursue irrational and all too frequently self-destructive goals. While his therapeutic innovations promise to set new standards in the psychoanalysis of individuals, he is now convinced that the most important achievement of psychoanalysis will emerge in its applications to the social pathologies.
"All those concerned with mental health and the welfare of future generations will find this book invaluable. Dr Frankl has made an original contribution to the urgent need for a rational morality to guide society safely into the twenty first century, so that, if it can avoid another major catastrophe, 'humanity can be born at last'. Dr C G Maddox, Psychotherapy Review"
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