What Mortimer Adler thinks about Psychotherapy
American philosopher and educator (1902 to 2001); taught at Columbia University and the University of Chicago, chaired the board of editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica and founded the Institute for Philosophical Research.
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Mortimer Adler did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
2 dated positions, c. 1970, in their own words. Our reading of what Mortimer Adler has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Their wordsThe remedy is medical not moral. What is called for is the recommendation of some form of psychotherapy, not hortatory remarks about virtue or a good moral character.
↗Why Strength of Character Is Needed to Lead a Good Life (from The Time of Our Lives, 1970; The Great Ideas Online no. 40)thegreatideas.org 4th of 6 in this piece
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Our readingCuring a disorder that blocks good choices does not by itself give the power to make them
Their wordsBut when the medical problem is solved the moral problem remains. The removal by therapy of an incapacitation for making the right choices does not automatically confer the power of making them.
↗Why Strength of Character Is Needed to Lead a Good Life (from The Time of Our Lives, 1970; The Great Ideas Online no. 40)thegreatideas.org 5th of 6 in this piece
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