Svend Brinkmann's work delves into the psychological and societal pressures of modern life, particularly critiquing the relentless drive for self-improvement. He questions the contemporary obsession with constant personal development, advocating instead for a stance of self-affirmation and resilience. Through his prolific writing and public engagement, Brinkmann encourages readers to confront the demands of self-optimization and cultivate a stronger sense of identity. His insightful analyses offer a counterpoint to prevailing trends, prompting deeper reflection on authenticity and stability in a rapidly changing world.
"Psychology as a Moral Science" explores the intrinsic link between psychology and morality in a postmodern context. It critiques mainstream psychological theories for neglecting ethical foundations, arguing that psychological practices reflect moral principles. The book revisits key concepts, addressing the interplay of psychology and societal values, and challenges contemporary moral theories.
A Cultural Approach to the Pathologization of Modern Life
The book explores the evolution of diagnostic cultures through empirical case studies of psychological conditions like depression and ADHD. It employs cultural-psychological and sociological analyses to examine how these diagnoses reshape existential, moral, and political issues into individual psychiatric concerns. This critical inquiry raises questions about the implications of such transformations on society and individual identity.
Brinkmann yet again offers a brilliant and illuminating account of one of the core components of human experience - grief --
Exploring the essence of humanity, this book delves into our unique capacity for thought amidst a fast-paced world focused on achievement and convenience. It critiques the diminishing space for reflection in an age dominated by technology, which simplifies tasks and reduces the necessity for deep thinking. The narrative challenges readers to reconsider the value of contemplation and the implications of a society that prioritizes productivity over introspection.
Self-help gurus, life coaches and business consultants love to tell us that we must strive for constant self-improvement to realize our full potential and become truly happy. But it doesn't seem to work - for many of us, life still seems hollow and meaningless.
How are Christians capable of believing? Is it faith or delusion? Or is there something wrong with me? I do not believe in spirits, gods, miracles, resurrection or eternal life. But I will seek to cast off my prejudices and give God a chance. At least for a year. Danish writer Svend Brinkmann spent a year with God, exploring faith and religion through the eyes of a sceptic. Each month, from January to December, he grappled with questions that had nagged at him since he was a child: Why does God let the innocent suffer? Does science disprove the existence of God? Does faith make you a better person? Can you doubt and still believe? It became a year of deep reflection and surprising revelations that challenged the bounds of his scientific worldview and led him to a new appreciation of faith and its place within a secular, mostly fulfilled life.
Self-help gurus, life coaches and business consultants love to tell us that we must strive for constant self-improvement to realize our full potential and become truly happy. But it doesn't seem to work - for many of us, life still seems hollow and meaningless. So focused are we on personal development and material possessions that we've overlooked the things that make life truly fulfilling and worthwhile. So how do we figure out what's really worth striving for? In this compelling follow-up to his bestselling book Stand Firm, Danish philosopher and psychologist Svend Brinkmann shows us that the important things in life are those with intrinsic value, like goodness, freedom, truth and love. We should stop asking 'what's in it for me?', and turn our attention outwards to our friends, families and communities. By putting others first and embracing these unconditional principles, or standpoints, he argues, we can find a more meaningful and sustainable way of living.
A defining feature of being human is our ability to think. We refer to ourselves, after all, as homo sapiens. But in a world where experiencing and achieving as much as possible is the number one preoccupation, there is little room for reflection. Technology is also making everything easier, eroding the need for us to think at all. Of course deep, critical thinking can be difficult, sometimes painful, and it demands time. But it is fundamental to our well-being. In this new book, bestselling philosopher and psychologist Svend Brinkmann argues for a return to the thoughtful life, where we learn to think well, to think deeply, to lose ourselves in reverie and tune in to our inner voice. By spending time in our thoughts and letting them wander freely, we will discover that thinking is one of the most enriching things we can do in life – and one of the most human too.
Qualitative interviewing has today become one of the most common research methods across the human and social sciences, but one that appears in a number of different guises. Qualitative Interviewing will help its readers write, represent, understand, and critique qualitative interview research in its many forms as currently practiced.
'Because you're worth it', proclaims the classic cosmetics ad. 'Just do it!' implores the global sports retailer. Everywhere we turn, we are constantly encouraged to experience as much as possible, for as long as possible, in as many ways as possible. FOMO - Fear of Missing Out - has become a central preoccupation in a world fixated on the never-ending pursuit of gratification and self-fulfilment.But this pursuit can become a treadmill leading nowhere. How can we break out of it? In this refreshing book, bestselling Danish philosopher and psychologist Svend Brinkmann reveals the many virtues of missing out on the constant choices and temptations that dominate our experience-obsessed consumer society. By cultivating self-restraint and celebrating moderation we can develop a more fulfilling way of living that enriches ourselves and our fellow humans and protects the planet we all share - in short, we can discover the joy of missing out.
