Full Description
What does it mean to be human? What distinguishes man from other animals? “Man's creation of the universe of symbols,†replies Ludwig von Bertalanffy. “Man lives in a world not of things, but of symbols.†Dr. von Bertalanffy explores the historical development of symbolic language, examines the nature of human values, and shows how a current breakdown of symbolic universes contributes to the feeling of meaninglessness so prevalent in modern society. He notes that a major portion of mankind's aggressive acts are not biologically induced but arise within symbolic frameworks.
Contents
Also of Interest -- Preface -- Source Notes -- Introduction -- Man's Universe of Symbols -- Human Values in a Changing World -- Comments on Aggression -- Systems Perspectives on the Problem of Mental Illness -- A Definition of the Symbol -- An Etymology of Symbolism -- The Evolutionary Origins of Symbolism -- The Mind-Body Problem: A New View -- General Theory of Systems: Application to Psychology -- Toward a Generalized Theoretical Model for Psychology -- Problems of Education in America -- On Interdisciplinary Study -- Appendix
