ولادة جديدة للذات الإنسانية

by Paul Tournier, بول تورنييه, سليم إسكندر حنا (Translator)

The Meaning of Persons, is a book classified as a book of Psychology of the personality. The author, doctor Paul Tourier, was a prolific writer, and the "Father" of some new paradigms in the medical field. Paul Tournier is a giant of medicine, psychology and the Christian faith.

It was very interesting to consider that every person shows some outside unreal mask about him or herself. At the same time, every person must find, sincerely his own being. This is the central idea of the book, being from where the author takes his stand. Tournier assures that every man "there is a part of impenetrable mystery even to himself". The relationships we maintain with our peers greatly depend on who we are. It is extremely important to improve ourselves in order to improve our relationships. If we are surrounded by people every day of our lives, then every effort that we put forth to improve our relationships, will be worthwhile.

A human being is a whole within its self. The Swiss doctor in this book shows us many cases of people that were affected physically, and because of that began to suffer psychologically. A typical case would be the loss of an arm or leg. The person's whole personality is affected. This holistic vision of man helps us to realize that a person cannot divided into parts or sections. Every man is an inseparable essence. From this truth, a new one can be derived. There are as many personalities as people on the face of the earth. While it may be possible to classify certain aspects of human personalities, every individual person manages his or her own personality.

The person and the community are important for the author. In other words, a person could not exist outside of his or her community. Only in human inter -relationship can a person discover his or her real personality. From a spiritual point of view, this reminds me of something that the Bible tells us that the prophet Isaiah experienced when he was called to the ministry. When Isaiah saw God's glory, he became more aware if his own person. God cleanses Isaiah from sin and gives him a job to do in his community. That is why I consider that spiritual growth is the primary foundation to knowing oneself and others.

Genres: Psychology, Christian

Unknown Binding

First published August 1, 1975

About the author

Paul Tournier was a Swiss physician and author who had acquired a worldwide audience for his work in pastoral counselling. His ideas had a significant impact on the spiritual and psychosocial aspects of routine patient care, and he had been called the twentieth century's most famous Christian physician.

Reviews

[Holly Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Psychotherapy and faith can be a cooperative force to steer us through a calm and serene course through life. Compassion and understanding as fruits of God's work in our hearts.

[A G · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The philosophical spirit...knows that there is no greater obstacle to the truth than the conviction that one possesses the truth'. Who can claim to explain everything ? The scientist, the doctor, the man of faith ? 'You are always trying to explain to your patients what you can't even explain to yourself. Paul Tournier speaks of the 'reverse attitude', the bold adventure of life, scientific knowledge with its limitations and room for grace to flow from soul to body. A marriage of technological competence and faith, there is no dichotomy, there is only synthesis, harmony, cause the transformation from within oneself and acceptance of self with humility, doubt, and without an iota of dogmatism. I have enjoyed his psychoanalytic interpretation of the unconscious troubles of which we are unaware. There is an openness to compassion, care for the soul of man.

[R.L. Mosz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I've always kept on my bookshelf to read again and again. Paul Tournier wrote another book, The Seasons of Life, which does not appear on Goodreads. Short enough to read in and hour or two, The Seasons of Life is the most profound book on life and aging I've ever read.

[Rob Markley · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good thinker but lacks an understanding of a living God that came from the later Charismatic renewal.