philosopher, best known as a Kant scholar and for his Philosophie des Als Ob
(Philosophy of As If), published in 1911, but written more than thirty years
earlier.[3]
Vaihinger was born in Nehren, Wuerttemberg, Germany, near Tuebingen, and
raised
in what he himself described as a "very religious milieu". He was educated
at
Tuebingen, Leipzig, and Berlin, became a tutor and later a philosophy
professor
at Strasbourg before moving to the university at Halle in 1884. From 1892,
he
was a full professor.
In Philosophie des Als Ob, he argued that human beings can never really know
the
underlying reality of the world, and that as a result we construct systems
of
thought and then assume that these match reality: we behave "as if" the
world
matches our models. In particular, he used examples from the physical
sciences,
such as protons, electrons, and electromagnetic waves. None of these
phenomena
have been observed directly, but science pretends that they exist, and uses
observations made on these assumptions to create new and better constructs.
Vaihinger admitted that he had several precursors, especially Jeremy
Bentham's
Theory of Fictions. In the preface to the English edition of his work,
Vaihinger
expressed his Principle of Fictionalism. This is that "an idea whose
theoretical
untruth or incorrectness, and therewith its falsity, is admitted is not for
that
reason practically valueless and useless; for such an idea, in spite of its
theoretical nullity, may have great practical importance."
This philosophy, though, is wider than just science. One can never be sure
that
the world will still exist tomorrow, but we usually assume that it does.
Alfred
Adler, the founder of Individual Psychology, was profoundly influenced by
Vaihinger's theory of useful fictions, incorporating the idea of
psychological
fictions into his personality construct of a fictional final goal.>>
__________________________________
Notice that he even influenced people like Alfred Adler. The kind of
Neo-Freudian psychiatry that appeared in Adler was a major influence on the
way
in which early AA's looked at the psychological aspects of the 12-step
program.
_________________________________________________________________
http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/197222280/direct/01/
Do you have a story that started on Hotmail? Tell us now
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++++Message 6483. . . . . . . . . . . . Act as if ...
From: Jenny or Laurie Andrews . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/23/2010 3:27:00 AM
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PS: One of the corny sayings we hear in AA is, "Fake it to make it." I
wonder
where that first appeared?
_________________________________________________________________
http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/197222280/direct/01/
We want to hear all your funny, exciting and crazy Hotmail stories. Tell us
now
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++++Message 6484. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Act as If
From: Mary Latowski . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/22/2010 8:38:00 AM
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Not sure of the origin of the following but my 1st sponsor used to quote it
often:
"Go the the motion and earn the emotion, go the action and earn the
reaction"
Thoughts?
Mary Pat Latowski
South Bend
On Tue, Apr 20, 2010 at 10:28 AM, jax760 wrote:
>
>
> I recently came across this which tweaked my curiosity.
>
> "The rule for us is perfectly simple. Do not waste time bothering whether
> you "love" thy neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find
> one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone,
you
> will presently come to love him."
>
> "Some Christian writers use the word charity to describe not only
Christian
> love between human beings, but also God's love for man and man's love for
> God. About the second of these two, people are often worried. They are
told
> they ought to love God. They can not find any such feeling in themselves.
> The answer is the same as before. Act as if you did. Do not sit trying to
> manufacture feelings. Ask yourself, "If I were sure that I loved God, what
> would I do?' When you have found the answer go and do it.
>
> pp.131-132 Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis
>
> Recognizing the AA fellowship suggestions of "Act as If" and "Fake it till
> you make it" I decided to follow the trail and the joy in finding the
> following from William James
>
> "If you want a quality, act as if you already had it."
>
> Although I find this quote all over the internet I could not source it to
a
> particular work of James.
>
> I found this by Norman Vincent Peale
>
> Enthusiasm Makes the Difference p.20
>
> Many years ago the noted psychologist, William James, announced his famous
> "As If" principle. He said "If you want a quality act as if already had
it."
> Try the "as if" technique. It is packed with power and it works.
>
> I also came across this Wiki Post
>
> Sam Shoemaker gets the credit for originating the "Act As If" and "Fake It
> Until You Make It" practice that is popular in Alcoholics Anonymous and
> Narcotics Anonymous circles. Note that Shoemaker invented that clever
> persuasion technique to help in the religious conversion of doubtful
> newcomers, not to help anyone to quit drinking or drugging:
>
> "Act As If"
>
> In 1954, the Reverend Samuel M. Shoemaker wrote a story about an
> unfortunate who came to him admitting that he didn't believe in God and
> certainly didn't know how to pray. Shoemaker asked him to "try an
> experiment," as he had nothing to lose. He asked him to get down on his
> knees and say anything at all that came to his mind, addressing his
thoughts
> to "The Unknown." He then asked if the man could read just one chapter
from
> the Bible, from the book of John. Solely out of respect for Shoemaker, the
> man obliged, but fighting every step of the way. This went on for some
time,
> until one day the man actually began praying to God and reading the Bible
> and other works on his own. The man eventually became a spiritual leader
> within his church. Shoemaker believed that this was possible because the
man
> "acted as if he had faith" until faith came by accident, or "until there
was
> an opening for God to come through."
>
> The slogan "act as if" has been used in AA circles ever since.
>
> A Ghost In The Closet: Is There An Alcoholic Hiding?, Dale Mitchell, Page
> 194.
>
> The author of this post erroneously gives credit for "inventing" the
> "technique" to Sam Shoemaker who could have gotten it from either William
> James or C.S. Lewis. But Sam surely may have introduced this to the
> fellowship.
>
> I also found this by Sam Shoemaker in the October 1955 Grapevine "The
> Spiritual Angle"
>
> "When one has done the best he can with intellectual reasoning, there yet
> comes a time for decision and action. It may be a relatively simple
> decision: really to enter wholly into the experiment. The approach is more
> like science than like philosophy. We do not so much try to reason it out
in
> abstract logic; we choose a hypothesis, act as if it were true, and see
> whether it is. If it's not, we can discard it. If it is, we are free to
call
> the experiment a success."
>
> Several other things in the CS Lewis book caught my eye as I found many
> similarites with the philosophy of the 12&12. It would appear that Lewis's
> writings were an influence on both Sam Shoemaker and Father John Ford who
> helped Bill with the 12&12. But one example is given below.
>
> 12&12 p.109
>
> From great numbers of such experiences, we could predict that the doubter
> who still claimed that he hadn't got the "spiritual angle," and who still
> considered his well-loved A.A. group the higher power, would presently
love
> God and call Him by name.
>
> CF - Lewis ..."presently come to love him."
>
> If anyone else has any insight on Act as If or Father John Ford's work on
> the 12&12 I'd be quite interested.
>
> God Bless
>
> John B
>
>
>
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++++Message 6485. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Singleness of purpose
From: Kimball ROWE . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/23/2010 1:36:00 PM
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If you consider sources other that literature, then there are the "blue"
cards
from GSO that were printed as general guidance for open and closed meetings:
This is an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. We are glad you are all
here -
especially the newcommers. In keeping with our singleness of purpose and our
Third Tradition which states that "The only requirement for A.A. membership
is a
desire to stop drinking," we ask that all who participate confine their
discussion to their problems with alcohol.
This is an closed meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. In support of A.A.'S
singleness of purpose, attendance at closed meetings is limited to persons
who
have a desire to stop drinking. If you think you have a problem with
alcohol,
you are welcome to attend this meeting. We ask that when discussing our
problems, we confine ourselves to those problems as they relate to
alcoholism.
I don't know when they were first published, but they both refer to
"singleness"
----- Original Message -----
From: Glenn Chesnut
To: AAHistoryLovers group
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 1:54 PM
Subject: [AAHistoryLovers] Singleness of purpose
From: "Dolores" >
(dolli at dr-rinecker.de)
I have a question, where does the phrase
"Singleness of Purpose" come from? Who used
it first?
Dolores
- - - -
From the moderator:
I would start by looking at the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, the
chapter on Tradition Five, "Each group has but one primary purpose - to
carry
its message to the alcoholic who still suffers."
1st line of 5th paragraph refers to: "this singleness of purpose"
And then the 1st line of the next paragraph refers to: "the wisdom of A.A.'s
single purpose."
And then several paragraphs further along it says: "Thank heaven I came up
with the right answer for that one. It was based foursquare on the single
purpose of A.A."
Also see the chapter on Tradition Eight:
The first paragraph says: "Every time we have tried to professionalize our
Twelfth Step, the result has been exactly the same: Our single purpose has
been
defeated."
Glenn Chesnut (South Bend, Indiana, U.S.)
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++++Message 6486. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Burning desire
From: Kimball ROWE . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/23/2010 1:50:00 PM
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WARNING: OPINION FOLLOWS
I do not know where "burning desire" came from, nor who spoke it first. But
I
do believe that "burning desires," as I understand them, have been with us
from
the very start. In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, pg 159-160, it
describes two types of meetings (similar to closed and open meetings). The
description that best fits the open meeting talks about a "time and a place
where new people might bring their problems." This is my understanding of a
"burning desire."
pg 159-160
A year and six months later these three had succeeded with seven more.
Seeing
much of each other, scarce an evening passed that someone's home did not
shelter
a little gathering of men and women, happy in their release, and constantly
thinking how they might present their discovery to some newcomer. In
addition to
these casual get-togethers, it became customary to set apart one night a
week
for a meeting to be attended by anyone or everyone interested in a spiritual
way
of life. Aside from fellowship and sociability, the prime object was to
provide
a time and place where new people might bring their problems.
----- Original Message -----
From: Dolores
To: AAHistoryLovers@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 8:42 AM
Subject: [AAHistoryLovers] Burning desire
Greetings, Thank you all for the the information
that I have received thru History Lovers. I have
a question, where does the phrase "burning desire"
come from? Who used it first?
At the beginning of meetings, one often hears
the phrase used, "does anyone have a burning desire?"
What does this really mean? as I often find it
misused by some members to complain about other
members.
Thanks, Dolores
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++++Message 6487. . . . . . . . . . . . An Alcoholic''s Savior
From: Bill Lash . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/23/2010 9:30:00 PM
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An Alcoholic's SaviorNew York Times, 4/20/10
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/health/20drunk.html?scp=1&sq=HOWARD%20MARK
EL&st=cse
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++++Message 6488. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Regarding longest sobriety in
A.A.
From: Jim . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/24/2010 8:50:00 PM
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How about Tom I. sober since 1957.
Paul Martin of Chicago passed away last August. I believe he had 62 years.
--- In AAHistoryLovers@yahoogroups.com, "J. Lobdell" wrote:
>
> One problem with the list for determining the longest sober living person
in
AA is that, so far as I can tell, none of those listed at the top of the
list
are living.
>
> Of those who are easily identifiable, Barry C. and Ed W. (founders in
Minneapolis and Ed wrote the Little Red Book) are dead for many years (Ed d.
1971?).
>
> Duke P. of Toledo likewise dead, Al M. (Los Angeles founder) also dead,
Clancy
U. of Hawaii likewise (Dick B could give you a date), Tex A. likewise (I
think
he died fairly recently, if I have the right "Tex").
>
> I can't place Cynthia C. and should be able to if she got sober in March
1940.
>
> Another problem is that when I get down the list to a point between Stan
W.
(Jan 6 1946) and Jack T. (Nov 11 1946) I don't find Clyde B. (Jun 20 1946)
whom
I know and who is alive.
>
> Nor do I find, at the place where he ought to be, Chet H (Apr 4 1949) whom
I
know and who is alive.
>
> Nor do I find Mel B. (Apr 15 1950) whom many of us know and who is
certainly
alive -- in fact he's speaking in Wapokoneta soon.
>
> Nor do I find Clancy I. (Oct 31 [I think] 1958) whom most of AA knows and
who
is certainly alive.
>
> I think it might repay inquiry to check out all those on the list with
dates
before the longest-sober living person we have found, but I'm not entirely
hopeful we'll come up with someone.
>
> And who WAS Cynthia C?
>
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++++Message 6489. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Re: When Love Is Not Enough -
Ebby?
From: John Theede . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/26/2010 2:15:00 PM
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Hi:
I was sort of surprised to see that the film shown on the evening of April
25 on
CBS portrayed Ebby as having such a continous contact with Bill all through
his
drinking days. I have read Mel B's book about Ebby, and it mentions
nothing
about him being employed at the same brokerage house in NYC as Bill at the
same
time as Bill was employed there.  Ernie Kurtz's book about AA (Not God)
also
mentions that Ebby and Bill hadn't seen each other for a few years when Ebby
showed up to see him in 1934, stating that Bill hadn't seen Ebby since a
Burr
and Burton school renunion. Â
Â
?????
--- On Thu, 4/15/10, Soberholic wrote:
From: Soberholic
Subject: [AAHistoryLovers] Re: When Love Is Not Enough, premier Irvington
NY,
April 25
To: AAHistoryLovers@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010, 9:13 AM
Â
Looking forward to see this magnificent story of Lois (and Bill) over here
too.
This time it would be really nice to have a dvd with subtitles in
Scandinavian
and other European languages, too.
This was not the case with "My Name Is Bill W." - the dvd was available with
Spanish and French subtitles only.
Makes me sad because of the significance of the Fellowship for so many of us
in
Europe, too. There was an initiative to get all the paper work concerning
rights done in publishing a dvd with Scandinavian subtitles in the case
of "My
Name Is Bill W." but it led nowhere. So far, at least.
Â
Keep the good thing going on!
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++++Message 6490. . . . . . . . . . . . Big Book Disussion group, Barking
Saturday night.
From: martinholmes76@ymail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/25/2010 6:00:00 AM
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where did the term "the need for moral psychology" come from in the Dr's
Opinion?
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++++Message 6491. . . . . . . . . . . . Question regarding Area appointing
trusted servants rather than electing....
From: luv2shop . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/21/2010 4:58:00 PM
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Hi everyone!
I have a question but first here is the scenario. I am truly not looking for
a
debate, just if anyone has any experience with this and could point me in
the
correct direction......
Our District is wanting to change our service structure to where the current
chairman "appoints" the treasurer and secretary of the district. In the past
these positions have been filled through elections. The rationale is that
the
chairman/person would be able to appoint people to these positions that
he/she
feels comfortable with and personally knows that they can perform the
dutites.
Tradition 2 states, in part, that "....our leaders are but trusted servants
they
do not govern..." One (of the many) definitions of govern it to "appoint."
What if there are two people equally qualified in every way but the
chairperson
chose his/her buddy because they are comfortable?
Now the question. After reading the scenario, does anyone know where I could
find out more about this and educate myself? Is there anything in literature
anywhere that has dealt with this in the past? I would greatly appreciate
hearing from you and pointing me in the right research direction.
Thank you for everything that is done in this group! It is such a treasure
trove of information!!
Yours in the fellowship
Donna W.
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++++Message 6492. . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Re: Regarding longest sobriety
in A.A.
From: Jim Hoffman . . . . . . . . . . . . 4/27/2010 5:17:00 PM
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Here in Largo, Florida we just ( 4-14-10) lost Carl D. D.O.S Dec. 17, 1947
Originally Grand Rapids, MI.
We still have with us Alice S. sober since 1948 - Originally NYC.
----- Original Message -----
From: Jim
To: AAHistoryLovers@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2010 8:50 PM
Subject: [AAHistoryLovers] Re: Regarding longest sobriety in A.A.
How about Tom I. sober since 1957.
Paul Martin of Chicago passed away last August. I believe he had 62 years.
--- In AAHistoryLovers@yahoogroups.com, "J. Lobdell" wrote:
>
> One problem with the list for determining the longest sober living person
in
AA is that, so far as I can tell, none of those listed at the top of the
list
are living.
>
> Of those who are easily identifiable, Barry C. and Ed W. (founders in
Minneapolis and Ed wrote the Little Red Book) are dead for many years (Ed d.
1971?).
>
> Duke P. of Toledo likewise dead, Al M. (Los Angeles founder) also dead,
Clancy U. of Hawaii likewise (Dick B could give you a date), Tex A. likewise
(I
think he died fairly recently, if I have the right "Tex").
>
> I can't place Cynthia C. and should be able to if she got sober in March
1940.
>
> Another problem is that when I get down the list to a point between Stan
W.
(Jan 6 1946) and Jack T. (Nov 11 1946) I don't find Clyde B. (Jun 20 1946)