Synopsis: In the bestselling tradition of "Emotional Intelligence, The Artist's Way", and "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People", John Chaffee offers an inspirational and practical blueprint for personal transformation. With a practical eight-step program, this book presents real-world examples of how people do and do not think critically, and offers ways to develop a thinking process that will enrich every area of your life.We spend time, money, and effort trying to improve our health and our appearance, but we neglect the most important ingredient: "our ability to think and reflect, to understand our past and create our futures," says philosophy professor and critical-thinking expert John Chaffee. No number of self-help programs will improve our lives if we don't learn to think clearly. The aim of THE THINKER'S WAY is to both stimulate our thinking and guide us to think on a more sophisticated and powerful level. It succeeds.
The book is divided into eight chapters that build on each other and ultimately work together to improve our thinking: "Think Critically," "Live Creatively," "Choose Freely," "Solve Problems Effectively," "Communicate Effectively," "Analyze Complex Issues," "Develop Enlightened Values," and "Think Through Relationships." In the "Think Critically" chapter, for example, we learn to recognize and overcome biases, explore different perspectives, and develop strong and accurate beliefs based on sound reasons. Each step has its own goals, strategies, provocative examples, and "thinking activities" designed to involve the reader. What a shame that critical thinking isn't a required course in high school and college. Fortunately, this is the perfect guidebook if you want to take a private seminar. --Joan Price
"A practical and satisfying way of looking at the world. It works."
-- Richard Carlson, author of DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF
"John Chaffee has created a simple, intelligent path to thinking and communicating more effectively. If you want a richer, more fulfilling life, THE THINKER'S WAY will gently guide you in the right direction."
-- John Gray, author of MEN ARE FROM MARS, WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS
"The beginning of self-improvement is to think about doing it, and believing it can be done. THE THINKER'S WAY provides an inspiring blueprint."
-- Mitch Albom, author of TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
"What a subversive, radical idea -- that we can use our faculties of thinking and reasoning to improve our lives. In an era of mindless 'step' books ('follow my seven/nine/twelve steps uncritically and you will be rich/famous/thin/young"), John Chaffee identifies the true steps to living a mindful life. He shows in a clear and compelling way how we can combat irrationality and make wiser judgments -- and, most of all, why we should want to."
--Carol Tavris, Ph.D., author of THE MISMEASURE OF WOMAN
"THE THINKER'S WAY is not a self-help book. This is what you must read BEFORE you read any self-help book. Indeed, this is a book that you must read before you make too many more bad decisions. John Chaffee has written the thinking person's book on thinking. This work has depth and breadth, yet remains accessible and readable from the first page to the last."
-- Nelson DeMille, author of PLUM ISLAND and THE LION'S GAME
"If you thought you were done with personal growth materials -- wait! John Chaffee is right; we are in a world of non-thinkers. Listen to him read THE THINKER'S WAY (on the Time Warner AudioBook), and you'll discover new thinking skills that will help you interpret life, make choices and become more creative in every aspect of your life."
-- Donna Paz, "The Reader's Edge"
New York Newsday review 11/3/98
"Just a thought: Plato may have had it right when he said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." At least that's what John Chaffee, director of the New York Center for Critical Thinking believes. He just penned a beautifully insightful book called THE THINKER'S WAY, (Little, Brown and Co.). His premise:Thinking is crucial for any kind of rich life, even though it goes against the grain of a society that moves so quickly there is hardly time to think. Slow down enough to read this one. The message matches what Plato said almost 2,500 years ago. And Chaffee gives you the modern version. He provides eight life-enhancing steps to get there." -- Jamie Talan
Publisher's Weekly review 8/98
"Superb...Beginning with the provocative assertion that 'we have become a society of nonthinkers,' Chaffee sets out to replicate for a trade audience the academic course in critical thinking he created for the City University of New Yorki...The book provides an excellent course in critical thinking and logical reasoning."
The CyberScene review
"When did you last examine an issue in depth?...THE THINKER'S WAY not only helps you analyze yourself and improve your ability to think critically, but it addresses how important it is to take the time to examine information, despite today's glut of technology, news, and constant stimulation."
About the Author
"John Chaffee, Ph.D. is a nationally recognized leader in the area of intellectual development, and is the author of several books including the bestselling text, Thinking Creatively. He is Director of the New York Center for Critical Thinking and Language Learning, and Professor of Philosophy at The City University of New York. He conducts Critical Thinking workshops and lectures around the country."
From The Publisher
" Do you feel that you have not yet fulfilled your potential? Have internal doubts obscured a sense of meaning and purpose you once had? Do you feel trapped in patterns that you cannot break-- in your career, your relationships, your life? Now John Chaffee, Ph.D., a pioneer in the field of Critical Thinking, shares his uplifting message that you can shape your life into what you want it to be-- if you think critically, live creatively, and choose freely.
In this remarkable book, Dr. Chaffee shows you how to become a true thinker and live a successful and richly satisfying life. By learning to think clearly, you will be able to focus in a confusing world of information overload, hyperstimulation, and instant gratification. The Thinker's Way shows how you can approach every aspect of your life with clarity and insight and:
Achieve your personal goals--including those you thought were out of reach Make intelligent decisions--even when your choices seem confusing or overwhelming Release your creativity and infuse your life with new energy Increase your personal freedom by liberating yourself from debilitating constraints Attack problems logically and overcome self-destructive habits Improve all of your relationships by becoming a better communicator--and listener Develop a life philosophy based on informed opinions and enlightened values. Each chapter of The Thinker's Way focuses on one of the eight steps to becoming a critical thinker and contains practical exercises to help you develop specific thinking abilities. When you understand how to make your thinking more insightful, creative, and effective, you will discover that you can be an artist, creating the work of art that is your life. "
"John Chaffee, Ph.D. is a nationally recognized leader in the area of intellectual development, and is the author of several books including the bestselling text, Thinking Creatively. He is Director of the New York Center for Critical Thinking and Language Learning, and Professor of Philosophy at The City University of New York. He conducts Critical Thinking workshops and lectures around the country."
