Masters of the Mind
Exploring the Story of Mental Illness from Ancient Times to the New Millennium
Chapter One
Demythologizing the
Ancients' Spirits
Current theories and known facts about personality and behavior are the
product of a long and continuing history of human curiosity and achievement
(Millon, 1969). Although dependence on the past is always appropriate,
progress also occurs because dissatisfaction with the "truths" of yesterday stimulates
our search for better answers today. Such perspectives on the historical
development of our current thinking enable us to decide which achievements
are worthy of acceptance and which require further investigation.
This and subsequent chapters look back over the long history of the mind
and mental science studies, exposing patterns of progress and regress and brilliant
leaps that have alternated with foolish pursuits and blind stumbling. Significant
discoveries often were made by capitalizing on accidental observations;
at other times, progress required the clearing away of deeply entrenched, erroneous
beliefs. Despite these erratic pathways to knowledge, philosophers, physicians,
and scientists have returne ... read full excerpt from Masters of the Mind: Exploring the Story of Mental Illness from Ancient Times to the New Millennium ebook
