Principles of Efficient Thinking

by Barbara Branden

This is a comprehensive course on the thinking process. Distinguished authority Barbara Branden deals with thinking in both its theoretical and practical aspects. The theoretical aspect covers the principles that make possible the most efficient use of your mind; the practical aspect covers specific techniques by which you avoid thinking errors and maximize the productivity of your mental effort. The discussion includes the proper use of the subconscious to integrate emotions and creative thinking, as well as the psychology of inspiration. Re-issued on audio CD in 2007. 19 CDs, 16-3/4 hours total recording. Product No. S01528D.

Audio CD

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Barbara Branden was a Canadian writer, editor, and lecturer, known for her relationship and subsequent break with novelist-philosopher Ayn Rand.

Barbara met her husband Nathaniel Branden through a shared interest in Rand's works. Barbara and Nathaniel became personal friends of Rand and her husband, Frank O'Connor, in 1950. When Barbara and Nathaniel married in 1953, Rand and O'Connor served as matron of honor and best man, respectively.

After earning her M.A. in philosophy, Barbara joined her husband as one of the founding members of the Objectivist movement, which sought to advance Rand's ideas. Rand acknowledged Barbara as one of the most important proponents of Objectivism.

In 1954, Nathaniel pursued an affair with Rand with the reluctant consent of both Barbara and O'Connor. Barbara described the affair as a "sacrifice" that caused "years of pain."

Rand broke off her relationship with the Brandens in 1968 after learning of Nathaniel's affair with actress Patrecia Scott.

Barbara's 1986 biography of Rand, The Passion of Ayn Rand, created a rift among Rand's followers because the book exposed that Rand had lied about why she broke off her relationship with the Brandens. Rand's private correspondence later confirmed what Barbara brought to light in her biography. The Passion of Ayn Rand was later made into a Emmy Award-winning motion picture in 1999.

Barbara Branden died of a lung infection in Los Angeles on December 11, 2013.

Reviews

[Bill Pennock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most important lecture series on the planet in my opinion. There are many expositions of how the mind works, Barbara Branden, in this series, does it better than anyone else I've ever heard. From the very most basic beginnings of rationality she steps through the process of identifying, categorizing, abstracting and building your system of thought. She covers the mistakes in thinking that occur and how to identify and rectify them both in yourself and when you find them in others. It is rigorous, challenging and humbling. The only criticism I have is her seeming willingness to discount a persons thinking completely if one fallacy is found in it. But she is so clear in the lectures that a person willing to challenge their own rationality to make it better will find the means to do so in these lectures. They should be part of our standard educational system. This is a user manual to the human brain.