Great point, Steve.

 

It gives me a chance to say something that was implied by the post but should be made explicit.

 

Cognitive psychotherapy, as framed by a technique the three C’s, is NOT a philosophy. Indeed, I would say that cognitive therapy is no substitute for stoicism proper.

 

So, what is it? Who is the blog for? It is for a subset of individuals who do get trapped into maladaptive, rigid ways of thinking. Or, to put it differently, by the time a person is bringing the level of analysis to the issues that you raise here, we are probably dealing with a higher order way of thinking. That is not so say one who thought about the world as you suggest would definitely not benefit from the angle conferred by the Three C method. But, surely, the simplistic cognitive “adaptive individualistic thinking” model is not up to the task of guiding complex ego decision making. Here is a blog I did on reflecting on the elements of ego functioning. The Three C method is for folks who are, well, not operating at the optimal level. This is even more so for situations that involve collective coordination and decision making and deep dives into philosophical implications and assumptions.

 

Do you feel this reply/caveat addresses your point, at least indirectly?

 

Best,
Gregg

 

 

 

From: tree of knowledge system discussion <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Steven Quackenbush
Sent: Friday, February 12, 2021 4:51 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: TOK Three C Method for Healthier Justifications

 

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of JMU. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

---

Hi Gregg,

 

When I teach Gen Psych, I describe cognitive therapy as "applied Stoicism", which captures its limitations as well as its strengths.

 

Consider the "Three C method for healthy justifications":

• "The first “C” refers to catch it. This is the process of becoming aware of the thinking process itself."
• "The second “C” refers to check it. This refers to the process of asking two primary questions about the justification, which are: (a) Is it accurate? and (b) Is it helpful?"
• "The third “C” is to change it. This refers to the capacity to develop more sophisticated, accurate, and helpful beliefs."  

I've long believed that the justifications that have the most significant impact on our lives are precisely those that we cannot change [at least not as serialized individuals].  A simple example of this is our education system, which shapes our fortune in 1001 ways, but can only be changed by collective action.   

 

If I focus on what I can change (e.g., my "beliefs"), I may lose sight of the power (and responsibility) of a community to achieve transformations that could never be accomplished by isolated individuals (toying with their cognitions).  

 

"Master yourself rather than fortune", a stoic once said.   

I prefer to master fortune.  

 

~ Steve Q. 

 

 

 

 

Steven W. Quackenbush, Ph.D.

Associate Provost and Dean of Arts and Sciences

University of Maine, Farmington

Farmington, ME 04938

(207) 778-7518

[log in to unmask]

 

 

 

On Fri, Feb 12, 2021 at 10:17 AM Henriques, Gregg - henriqgx <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi TOK List,

  I was teaching my students about cognitive therapy this week and so I thought I would put up an “oldie but a goodie” when it comes to a simple technique to enhance how to mindfully reflect on one’s thinking process:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/theory-knowledge/202102/the-three-c-method-healthy-justifications#_=_

 

Best,
G

 

___________________________________________

Gregg Henriques, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Graduate Psychology
216 Johnston Hall
MSC 7401
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
(540) 568-7857 (phone)
(540) 568-4747 (fax)

Be that which enhances dignity and well-being with integrity.

Check out the Unified Theory Of Knowledge homepage at:

https://www.unifiedtheoryofknowledge.org/

 

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