Feeling Good: The Science of Well-Being

by C. Robert Cloninger

All human beings have spontaneous needs for happiness, self-understanding, and love. In Feeling The Science of Well Being , psychiatrist Robert Cloninger describes a way to coherent living that satisfies these strong basic needs through growth in the uniquely human gift of self-awareness. The scientific findings that led Dr. Cloninger to expand his own views in a stepwise manner during 30 years of research and clinical experience are clearly presented so that readers can consider the validity of his viewpoint for themselves. The principles of well-being are based on a non-reductive scientific paradigm that integrates findings from all the biomedical and psychosocial sciences. Reliable methods are described for measuring human thought and social relationships at each step along the path of self-aware consciousness. Practical mental exercises for stimulating the growth of self-awareness are also provided. The methods are supported by data from brain imaging, genetics of
personality, and longitudinal biopsychosocial studies.
Feeling The Science of Well-Being will be of value to anyone involved in the sciences of the mind or the treatment of mental disorders. It will also interest theologians, philosophers, social scientists, and lay readers because it provides contemporary scientific concepts and language for addressing the perennial human questions about being, knowledge, and conduct.

Genres: Psychology

400 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 2004

Reviews

[Kieran Forster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true holistic book on psychiatry that is not limited to dsm 5 pathological classification. Covers the positive goals of mental and spiritual health. He knows philosophy including Vedanta and Buddhism. Covers neuroscience well. The sheer breadth of the book means it is a hard book to finish but definitely impressive attempt at holistic summary of what is mental including spiritual health. Very well read writer that links pretty much everything. Annoying to some, impressive to others.

[Bo Yu · Rating 3 out of 5]

the author said the book is intended for any interested open minded person. I am confident I am qualified, but still find this book hard to read. He obviously hasn’t been consistent in his writing with his initial goals. The whole book is made of reviews for each topic. Fortunately, the topics are closely related to each other. My advice is if you’re not a psychologist or want to read a practical book, this is not the right one. I only read several chapters because of the sank cost of borrowing it from the library.

[Eric Edwards · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reads like a very dense and obtuse textbook. I couldn’t even get past the middle of chapter 1. For what it’s about you feel like the author could have made it a bit more digestible.

[Sabina-Nicoleta Furtună (Sally) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh, boy, was I fooled by the title. Nothing but claptrap.

[Robb Seaton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reads like the work of a schizophrenic with a doctorate.