Great read, but Goleman falls for the the nurture assumption (see Judith Rich Harris) time and time again. Also, his recommendation that we teach kids these skills in school is a bit utopian given that we haven't managed to teach them much math or English. Other than those gripes, the book is important and loaded with interesting stuff
The central thesis is brilliant. It's worth reading for that alone. Unfortuantely, Dweck isn't very rigorous and falls prey to fallacious thinking througout.
The glaring error of Pojman's book was his leaving out, except for a few pages summarizing Richard Dawkins' "The Selfish Gene" (published in the 70's), the entire field that actually studies the nature of human nature -- evolutionary psychology.
It's like writing a book about the composition, structure, and changes matter undergoe during chemical reactions... but leaving out chemistry to make room for more alchemy! I found it incredible. Aside from that, his work is good. But THAT is no small thing.
It's like writing a book about the composition, structure, and changes matter undergoe during chemical reactions... but leaving out chemistry to make room for more alchemy! I found it incredible. Aside from that, his work is good. But THAT is no small thing.
Very dissapointing. Some good Buddhist wisdom about inner change and meditative practices, but he's completely lost, inchoherent, and sloppy when he moves around into other areas.