Should you make provocative comments on social media? Should you act in your own self-interest and ignore others? How can you develop meaningful relationships in life and the workplace? Should you or should you not? These are the questions of ethical behavior. In Beyond Happiness and Meaning, Dr. Steven Mintz will show you how to make decisions that make life worth living. It goes beyond enhancing our own well-being to improving the lives of others. Life is a contact sport that requires us to leave our comfort zone and engage with others, learn how to do good things, make the right choices, and follow the ethical path. At the end of the journey, you will learn how to transform your life and achieve true happiness and meaning. Unique in its approach and rich with everyday ethical dilemmas, Mintz brings to life the process of ethical decision-making that can improve your life and the life of others and bring back civility to society.

Egoicism, a mindset that places primary focus upon oneself, is rampant in contemporary Western cultures as commercial advertisements, popular books, song lyrics, and mobile apps consistently promote self-interest. Consequently, researchers have begun to address the psychological, interpersonal, and broader societal costs of excessive egoicism and to investigate alternatives to a "me and mine first" mindset. For centuries, scholars, spiritual leaders, and social activists have advocated a "hypo-egoic" way of being that is characterized by less self-concern in favor of a more inclusive "we first" mode of functioning. In recent years, investigations of hypo-egoic functioning have been examined by psychologists, cognitive scientists, neuroscientists, and philosophers. Edited by Kirk Warren Brown and Mark R. Leary, The Oxford Handbook of Hypo-egoic Phenomena brings together an expert group of contributors to examine these groundbreaking lines of inquiry, distilling current knowledge about hypo-egoicism into an exceptional resource. In this volume, readers will fi nd theoretical perspectives from philosophy and several major branches of psychology to inform our understanding of the nature of hypo-egoicism and its expressions in various domains of life. Further, readers will encounter psychological research discoveries about particular phenomena in which hypo-egoicism is a prominent feature, demonstrating its implications for well-being, regulation of emotion, adaptive decision-making, positive social relations, and other markers of human happiness, well-being, and health. This Handbook offers the most comprehensive and thoughtful analyses of hypo-egoicism to date.

“Intertwines history, philosophy, and science . . . A powerful challenge to conventional notions of individual responsibility” (Publishers Weekly). Few concepts are more unshakable in our culture than free will, the idea that individuals are fundamentally in control of the decisions they make, good or bad. And yet the latest research about how the brain functions seems to point in the opposite direction . . . In a work of breathtaking intellectual sweep and erudition, Heidi M. Ravven offers a riveting and accessible review of cutting-edge neuroscientific research into the brain’s capacity for decision-making—from “mirror” neurons and “self-mapping” to surprising new understandings of group psychology. The Self Beyond Itself also introduces readers to a rich, alternative philosophical tradition of ethics, rooted in the writing of Baruch Spinoza, that finds uncanny confirmation in modern science. Illustrating the results of today’s research with real-life examples, taking readers from elementary school classrooms to Nazi concentration camps, Ravven demonstrates that it is possible to build a theory of ethics that doesn’t rely on free will yet still holds both individuals and groups responsible for the decisions that help create a good society. The Self Beyond Itself is that rare book that injects new ideas into an old debate—and “an important contribution to the development of our thinking about morality” (Washington Independent Review of Books). “An intellectual hand-grenade . . . A magisterial survey of how contemporary neuroscience supports a vision of human morality which puts it squarely on the same plane as other natural phenomena.” —William D. Casebeer, author of Natural Ethical Facts

This Encyclopedia presents 62 essays by 78 distinguished experts who draw on their expertise in pedagogy, anthropology, ethology, history, philosophy, and psychology to examine play and its variety, complexity, and usefulness. Here you'll find out why play is vital in developing mathematical thinking and promoting social skills, how properly constructed play enhances classroom instruction, which games foster which skills, how playing stimulates creativity, and much more.

Moving Beyond Self-Interest is an interdisciplinary volume that discusses cutting-edge developments in the science of caring for and helping others. In Part I, contributors raise foundational issues related to human caregiving. They present new theories and data to show how natural selection might have shaped a genuinely altruistic drive to benefit others, how this drive intersects with the attachment and caregiving systems, and how it emerges from a broader social engagement system made possible by symbiotic regulation of autonomic physiological states. In Part II, contributors propose a new neurophysiological model of the human caregiving system and present arguments and evidence to show how mammalian neural circuitry that supports parenting might be recruited to direct human cooperation and competition, human empathy, and parental and romantic love. Part III is devoted to the psychology of human caregiving. Some contributors in this section show how an evolutionary perspective helps us better understand parental investment in and empathic concern for children at risk for, or suffering from, various health, behavioral, and cognitive problems. Other contributors identify circumstances that differentially predict caregiver benefits and costs, and raise the question of whether extreme levels of compassion are actually pathological. The section concludes with a discussion of semantic and conceptual obstacles to the scientific investigation of caregiving. Part IV focuses on possible interfaces between new models of caregiving motivation and economics, political science, and social policy development. In this section, contributors show how the new theory and research discussed in this volume can inform our understanding of economic utility, policies for delivering social services (such as health care and education), and hypotheses concerning the origins and development of human society, including some of its more problematic features of nationalism, conflict, and war. The chapters in this volume help readers appreciate the human capacity for engaging in altruistic acts, on both a small and large scale.

This timely textbook aims to provide adult nurses with the principles and practice insights needed to deliver exceptional care in partnership with older adults. Written by a world renowned author team and includes contributions by older people, ensuring their needs and concerns about nursing care are reflected across the book. This important book: Considers the social perspectives, wider issues and themes, such as ageism, policy, services and demographics Evaluates daily activities and needs, including: mobility, nutrition, communication, sexuality and leisure Features scenarios based on real situations and narratives from older people Examines the use of affirmative language to promote wellbeing and dignity when nursing older adults Nursing Older Adults will help nurses to better appreciate the experiences and strengths of older people. The book emphasises the importance of undertaking a collaborative approach when shaping the care that older people receive in a variety of healthcare settings. Contributors: Serena Allan, Michael Bauer, Sheena E. E. Blair, Jo Booth, Mima Cattan, Charlotte Clarke, Amanda Clarke, Christine Brown Wilson, Angela Dickinson, Karen S. Dunn, Soong-Nang Jang, Diana Jones, Mike Nolan, Linda McAuliffe, Brendan McCormack,Patricia McGeever, Ann MacFarlane, Rhonda Nay, Bhanu Ramaswamy, Jan Reed, Isabell Reid and Debbie Tolson. "Never was a book like this more urgently needed. Those who nurse older people will find much sound help within these pages." Broadcaster and writer Dame Joan Bakewell "I am delighted to commend this book to you. Putting older people at the centre of their care and support is central in all good nursing care." Dame Christine Beasley, DBE, Chief Nursing Officer for England "This text makes an extraordinary contribution to scholarship and practice and is sure to be on most undergraduate and postgraduate nursing students “must have” list of texts." Wendy Moyle, PhD, RNDirector, Research Centre for Community Practice Innovation, Griffith University, Australia "A great book: giving a comprehensive insight in the fundamentals of working with older people and key issues in nursing older people... The voice of older people is vividly written in many examples and scenarios given. I recommend this book to nurses, care staff, all who are in the education and qualification sector and other stakeholders in elder care." Professor Dr. Barbara Klein, Fachhochschule Frankfurt am Main - University of Applied Sciences, Germany "This is exactly the book to choose when looking for a straightforward study book, and is particularly good for students and newly qualified nurses... I would strongly recommend this book." Susan Doyle, Student Nurse, Bangor University Wales, UK

"Organized by the five Core Values contained within the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) and the American Nurses Association (ANA) Holistic Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, Second Edition: * Core Value 1: Holistic Philosophy, Theories, and Ethics * Core Value 2: Holistic Caring Process * Core Value 3: Holistic Communication, Therapeutic Environment, and Cultural Diversity * Core Value 4: Holistic Education and Research * Core Value 5: Holistic Nurse Self-Reflection and Self-Care Holistic Nursing: A Handbook for Practice, Seventh Edition has been awarded the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) Seal of Distinction. This newly developed Seal of Distinction indicates that the book is aligned with AHNA's mission, vision, and Holistic Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, Second Edition; is of interest to holistic nurses and of significant value to the nursing profession; provides knowledge that advances holistic nursing; is timely and relevant; is consistent with relevant historical publications; is scientifically and technically accurate; and is authored by individuals with demonstrated expertise in the field of the work submitted"--Provided by publisher.

"This book fruitfully serves those looking to apply Ernest Beckerís ideas psychotherapeutically, in individual counseling or in group therapy. A capstone to Robert Firestoneís 50 years of work in psychotherapy, psychoanalysis and psychiatry and to the numerous books written by these authors, Firestone and Catlett show how to apply the themes and implications of the ideas of Ernest Becker in everyday life. Their basic premise is that accepting death is part of developing an affirming and meaningful experience of life. Contributing to the credibility of their presentation is the wealth of clinical evidence and personal experience Firestone and Catlett incorporate." --The Ernest Becker Foundation "[F]ascinating and an enjoyable read....steeped in well researched and relevant psychological and sociological perspectives applicable to all social studies areas..." --Carol Lloyd University of Chichester "Firestone and Catlettís work is a marvelous achievement....This volume is both innovative and intrepid. Firestone and Catlett challenge prevailing psychoanalytic views on death and they demolish many of the accepted canons of thanatology and existential psychology. ...This is required reading for anyone who purports to talk about death." -- Jerry Piven, PhD Author of Death and Delusion: A Freudian Analysis of Mortal Terror "[A] towering synthesis of personal and clinical wisdom about death....with a superb overview of the psychology of death and death anxiety....Dr. Firestone draws on the best of the existential-humanistic as well as the psychoanalytic thinkers to address a flourishing path toward self-realization." -Kirk J. Schneider, PhD Author, Existential-Integrative Psychotherapy and Awakening to Awe (From the Foreword) Firestone and Catlett's groundbreaking volume assists mental health practitioners in helping their clients learn to accept and face their mortality. They describe the many defenses of death anxiety that keep individuals from achieving personal fulfillment, and also suggest methods to cope directly with fears of death; an approach that, ironically, can lead to more satisfaction, more freedom, and a greater appreciation for the gift of life. This book examines the many destructive consequences of death anxiety, including introversion, depression, and withdrawal from life. Throughout the book, the authors demonstrate the importance of achieving what they call life-affirming death awareness. Key topics include: The dawning awareness of death and its impact on the developing child Literal and symbolic defenses against death anxiety Separation theory and "the fantasy bond" Challenging the defenses that interfere with living fully Microsuicide: the death of the spirit Breaking with limiting religious dogma and cultural worldviews With this book, mental health practitioners and their clients will be able to better understand death awareness, overcome the defenses against death anxiety, and ultimately lead richer, more fulfilling lives.