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A review by raoul_g
Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization by Scott Barry Kaufman
5.0
This book is about what it means to be human from a humanistic psychological perspective. More exactly, the author, Scott Barry Kaufman, elucidates the vision of one of the most important psychologists of the 20th century, namely Abraham Maslow, who happens to be one of the key figures of humanistic psychology. Maslow is well known for his hierarchy of needs, which predicates psychological well-being on the fulfilment of, basic deficiency needs at a lower level, and growth needs at a higher level. Most people are familiar with this hierarchy in the form of a pyramid, but Maslow himself never actually used this illustration. Kaufman proposes the image of a sailboat, with the boat itself representing the needs for safety, connection and self-esteem. The fulfilment of these needs constitutes the base for psychological well-being. Above is the sail of the growth needs, namely exploration, love and purpose. These needs are at the core of what Maslow called self-actualization.
Transcendence is the stage even higher than self-actualization and it is the stage that represents a harmonious integration of one's whole self in the service of transcendental values and in the search of transcendental experiences.
Kaufman dedicates a chapter to each of the needs that make up the sailboat and he makes clear what they are, where they stem from, how they are connected to other needs, the effect of their fulfilment or their frustration, and more. He relies heavily on the work of Abraham Maslow, but also takes into account the perspectives of other humanistic psychologists such as Viktor Frankl, Erich Fromm, Carl Rogers and Rollo May. In addition Kaufman draws from the latest findings of psychological studies.
I liked this book a lot and took countless notes on many of the useful explanations given in it. I think it serves as a very good introduction to a humanistic approach to psychology. I even think it may help the reader to understand himself better and to open his eyes to the potential that lies within each of us.
"The human being is simultaneously that which he is and that which he yearns to be." (Abraham Maslow)
Transcendence is the stage even higher than self-actualization and it is the stage that represents a harmonious integration of one's whole self in the service of transcendental values and in the search of transcendental experiences.
Kaufman dedicates a chapter to each of the needs that make up the sailboat and he makes clear what they are, where they stem from, how they are connected to other needs, the effect of their fulfilment or their frustration, and more. He relies heavily on the work of Abraham Maslow, but also takes into account the perspectives of other humanistic psychologists such as Viktor Frankl, Erich Fromm, Carl Rogers and Rollo May. In addition Kaufman draws from the latest findings of psychological studies.
I liked this book a lot and took countless notes on many of the useful explanations given in it. I think it serves as a very good introduction to a humanistic approach to psychology. I even think it may help the reader to understand himself better and to open his eyes to the potential that lies within each of us.
"The human being is simultaneously that which he is and that which he yearns to be." (Abraham Maslow)