Responsible, prosocial ways of living are developed not by keeping rules, but by internalizing the principles from which rules for living well are formed. Our focus is twofold:
- Identifying and changing thinking patterns that lead to problems in living.
- Forming positive character.
Many settings and cultures rely on distinctly different ways of thinking and behaving. For example, compare thinking styles in academic settings with societal lifestyle thinking. Some students may perform well academically, yet fail to develop the skills necessary for making life decisions or leading responsible lives outside of an academic setting. Conversely, a person with little academic experience may have had family training for making wise life choices, but not have the training to perform as well academically.
Character, good or bad, is rooted in lifestyle thinking. When anyone in any setting lacks practice in responsible thinking, they often lack habits for prosocial behavior and character. Responsible thinking develops better decision-making skills that lend to positive character formation and prosocial community living.
Though intellectual strength and academic achievement may exist in a state separate from one’s individual character: (there are pro-social and criminal geniuses), overall character cannot exist in a state separate from one’s habits in thinking. A hallmark of Truthought is effectively bridging the gap between thinking that builds academic or workplace and business skills and thinking that shapes one’s lifestyle and character.
Acknowledgment
We did not “invent” the ideas and principles that define Truthought. They continue to evolve from our experience and ongoing examination of many sources to target what really works to foster prosocial thinking and living.
Among and above many, many others our gratitude goes to Dr. Stanton E. Samenow for his revolutionary work revealing what goes on inside irresponsible and criminal minds. Additionally, we are grateful for the decades of groundbreaking research provided by Dr. Peter R. Breggin, known as the conscience of psychiatry.