Readers of George MacDonald are used to his engaging story-telling, winsome characters, and simple theology of trust in God as Father. But this book shows a different side of MacDonald. A Dish of Orts is a varied collection of essays, mostly in the nature of literary criticism. These essays are, in MacDonald’s words, “but fragmentary presentments of larger meditation.” – Summary by Devorah Allen [chương_files]
This is the 32nd Coffee Break Collection, in which Librivox readers select and read stories or poems, fiction or non-fiction pieces of fifteen minutes’ duration or less, suitable for short commutes and coffee breaks. The subject for this collection is WILDERNESS. The collection is full after 20 pieces have been submitted. [chương_files]
Jung says in his subtitle that this work is a study of the transformations and symbolisms of the libido and a contribution to the history of the evolution of thought. [chương_files]
This short novel’s titular characters are brothers. An old family friend dies, leaving without explanation his entire fortune to Jean, the younger brother. Pierre, the protagonist, is puzzled, jealous, and increasingly bitter. A bequest, a secret, a major decision. This, Maupassant’s fourth novel, is considered by many to be his finest. (Lee Smalley) [chương_files]
Ever wondered if there is any “theoretical basis” for the well-known Myers–Briggs Type Indicator Personality Test? In this groundbreaking work of typology, Jung proposes three key dichotomies – extraversion/introversion, sensation/intuition, as well as thinking/feeling – as an attempt to reconcile the differing theories of Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler. – Summary by Cao Yuqing [chương_files]
Part 2 describes Dewey’s concept of IMPULSES. They encompass the interaction of one’s self with the environment. When the environment encounters problems with one’s HABITS, Impulses are the motivating, innate forces which prompt one to modify habits and/or modify the environment. “Nature vs Nurture” explanations of someone’s personality are deceptive and fallacious. This stems from the human inclination to CLASSIFY things – practically everything! Innate behaviors are a collection of habits which one’s culture has solidified as Customs. Most education is not learning but rather training of one’s habits to harmonize with local customs. Human nature is plastic, malleable. Customs are, almost by definition, rigid. And, because one’s environment is always changing, customs and its supporting habits are continually being tested. Nations disintegrate when their customs grow inflexible. A MORAL ACT is one whose effects are fine tune and reorganize habits. Thought arises then when habits are hindered and only impulses are active. The basic motor of human nature and conduct is HABIT, not reason or innate instinctive drives. In Dewey’s theories of education, he asserts that education should be leading youth away from society’s dysfunctional habits. He decries the fact that our economic theories concentrate on OWNERSHIP of things rather than the ways we USE things. – Summary by William Jones, Soloist [chương_files]
A collection of 12 articles/essays that G.K. Chesterton wrote for Vanity Fair magazine in 1920-1921, under the general title “The Next/New Renascence: Thoughts on the Structure of the Future.” (Summary by Maria Therese) [chương_files]
After an introduction to the Ole Jerry McAuley Mission in the year 1912, many wonderful stories of destitute alcoholics and addicts making a quick recovery through a surrender to Christ Jesus. The book gives glimpses that the years of the highly esteemed Samuel H. Hadley have allowed for the “Evangelical Podium” to firmly take root in the Mission and is corroding the original purpose (the original purpose of this mission was to provide a place for chronic alcoholics and addicts who had spiritual experiences during incarceration to continue it outside of prison and not end up back at their old haunts after being repeatedly rejected by churches and society). The book tells of the on-goings in the new Ole Jerry McAuley Mission at 316 Water Street, NYC, during the early 1900’s. Many things seem to have changed since the 1870’s when Jerry McAuley ran the mission. First, anyone was welcome. Second, the years of sobriety touted in this book were two to five, as opposed to the decades and quarter centuries in its earlier times. Thirdly, advertising their mission, or testifying for the mission was the goal as opposed to living a spiritually guided life. This book tells of many great successes but it wasn’t achieving the same high success rate. (Summary by Curt Walton) [chương_files]
In this little book Freud discusses three areas of human sexuality: 1. Sexual pervisons or abberations. In this essay, Freud concludes that “a disposition to perversions is an original and universal disposition of the human sexual instinct and that…this postulated constitution, containing the germs of all the perversions, will only be demonstrable in children“. 2. His second essay on “The Infantile Sexuality”, argues that children have sexual urges, from which adult sexuality only gradually emerges via psychosexual development. Looking at children, Freud identified many forms of infantile sexual emotions, including thumb sucking, autoeroticism, and sibling rivalry in childhood. 3. In his third essay, “The Transformations of Puberty”, Freud formalized the distinction between the ‘fore-pleasures’ of infantile sexuality and the ‘end-pleasure’ of sexual intercourse. He also demonstrated how the adolescent years consolidate sexual identity under the dominance of the genitals in puberty. Originally published in 1905, Freud added significant insights over the next three editions to increase the length to about double it’s original size. This is the third and last edition published in 1920. (Summary by Phil Chenevert and Wikipedia) [chương_files]
The psychological and anthropological character of genius in the British Isles was investigated by Ellis. Citing and collating an extensive source of information from the Dictionary of National Biography, many pieces of informational are discussed, including the ancestral heritage, geographical distribution, professions, and health and morbidity of the most the most preeminent men and women of the time. This work also promotes his theory that large cities are not only counterproductive to the development of high achievers, but detrimental to national health. (Summary by Leon Harvey) [chương_files]
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