One of the most pressing and perplexing questions ever posed by humankind is "What am I?" This question, debated by philosophers, educators and clergy the world over for many centuries, can frustrate even the most advanced philosophers among us. An eye can only see outward; it is impossible for an eye to see itself. Likewise it is impossible for an "I" to see itself, as the "I" can only be the subject, never an object.
Award-winning author Bernard Fleury has produced a single publication that contains, under one cover, broadly representative views concerning the meaning of “Man.” Both readers and professional reviewers have given the book high praise. In that book he presents points of view from 5 leading philosophers - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Martin Buber, Paul Sartre, Burrhus F. Skinner and John Dewey. Fleury recently provided a brief explanation drawn from John Dewey:
"John Dewey’s answer is that each man, each human, has within him at birth, a mass of the same unlearned and undirected impulsive tendencies to act; these tendencies, impulses and powers being inchoate and random, are devoid of organization or preordained pattern. In addition man lacks any principle or source of organization of these activities within himself.
These impulsive tendencies are given meaning or direction by interaction with an external mature social medium. This social medium in the case of a child is most often, the parent(s). Dewey therefore insists once more that the principle of organization and direction which directs and shapes human conduct is an external principle rather than an internal principle, the environment rather than a spiritual soul.
What is man the human becomes as a completely observable DOING person is completely the result of interaction with his environment. Man learns to do by doing. Dewey agrees with B F Skinner: Man, the human, IS what he DOES."
"The first edition of the book was used for the most part with fourth year undergraduate students, criminal justice and liberal arts majors in the Philosophy of Education course and also in the graduate course Social Cultural Theories, Foundations of Education," Fleury stated. "In both of these courses 'Man' is viewed as the focal point of education since he is the subject of education—what education is all about. The term “Man” is used generically throughout the first edition and in this new edition to refer to all humans, female and male, because this is the way the term is used in classical philosophy and in the writings of the five philosophers included in both the first and new revised editions to refer to all humankind, female and male."
"Unlike other best sellers like John Grey’s 'Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus'. The scope of 'What is Man? Male and Female' has been broadened to include the interests of parents in their parenting, sociologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists as well as pre and in-service teachers and other education administration personnel. All of these professions have 'Man' as their subject so it is critical to their practices how they view the 'human.' Who or what is it that they are attempting to define, teach, or develop therapies for?"
The book answers three very important questions:
What does it mean to be human?
Who or what is it that we are attempting to define, teach, or develop therapies for?
What role does the Inner and Outer Light play in each philosopher’s view?
Readers and reviewers have lauded 'What is Man?':
"Professor Fleury, Ed.D. has done a masterly piece of groundwork. He generously offers the results of his own life’s quest to those who are willing to make the effort to study his work to find meaning for themselves, others, and for our cultural-evolution." - Ruth McGoldrick, SP, MRE Adult Educator and Spiritual Director
"Dr. Fleury has done a great service for educators, parents, and all concerned with raising and educating children in today’s world. He has invited those so involved to perform that most elemental and human of efforts, namely, to reflect for themselves on what motivates them to journey with young people toward maturity. By sampling the thoughts of five men (deChardin, Buber, Dewey, Sartre, and Skinner) each of whom in his own way has greatly influenced the pedagogical process, Dr. Fleury teases out both the similarities and dramatic differences which inform these schools of thought." - Rev. Richard A Bondi
"Bernard J Fleury is a gifted and knowledgeable thinker whose work will provoke discussion in the areas of psychology, philosophy, and parenting. . . I loved the references to prominent thinkers, theologians and philosophers who have articulated on the meaning of the human person, including Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Martin Buber, Paul Sartre, Burrhus F. Skinner, and many more. Here is a book that offers insights and opens portals to powerful truths about being human. In What is Man? Male and Female, the author offers answers and encourages readers to think about their personhood from a completely fresh perspective. It is filled with light and wisdom.” - Divine Zape
"This was a superb work, and the best I have read by this author so far, especially due to its minimal approach of opinion and scholarly presentation of human philosophy. The thinkers which are presented are diverse and well considered for their part in the development of defining what it means to be human, and we can use this to view our place in the world as well as that of others. Genuinely accessible, thanks to Fleury’s clear and concise transcriptions and translations of what each complex theory has to offer, this bite-sized edition of philosophical thinking certainly packs a punch, and could be read, discussed and appreciated again and again." - K.C. Finn
"The book discusses the interpretations of the five major philosophers – Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Martin Buber, John Dewey, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Burrhus F. Skinner – regarding the meaning to be attached to ‘Man’. The interpretations of these five philosophers have been divided into five sections in the book. Their views are helpful when it comes to deciphering and defining who we actually are, and the nature of human growth and development. The question of what is man is actually a very fundamental one, and the book gives a lot of insights that will enable readers to understand the concept and the people around them in a way so they are helpful to each other and can move forward in dignity and respect." - Mamta Madhavan
Nearly all of Bernard's books center squarely on the theme of Light as a Someone and a Something. He believes we are all Called Into Life By The Light. Life and Light are tied together. Lifelight describes their relationship best because both our “without” (our physical being) and our “within” (our spirit) are basically light in two different forms:
1. Physical energy that occupies space, has weight, can be measured, and
2. Psychic or spiritual energy which is a force that causes things to happen and, thus, real energy, but it does not occupy space, have weight, nor can it be empirically measured.
Fleury's books have received numerous 5-star rated reviews. He was chosen as one of ‘50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading’ in the 2017 Book Awards. That honor came as a result of his appearance on The Authors Show. He was chosen from a field of hundreds of authors through a public voting process.
Bernard Fleury is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below, or by email at bernlida@comcast.net. 'What Is Man? Male And Female' is available at online retail book outlets. More information is available at his website at http://www.intolifebylight.com.
About Bernard Fleury:
Bernard Fleury is Professor Emeritus at Westfield State University and a Roman Catholic Permanent Deacon. He holds an A.A. degree in Classical Languages, a B.A. in History, a M.S. in Elementary Education with a minor in Philosophy, and an Ed.D. in Administration with a minor in Government. He taught in both the undergraduate and graduate divisions at Westfield State University for thirty years and was a Public School teacher and principal for thirteen years. He also served as Director of School Administration at Westfield State University, and as Director of Teacher Education, Academic Vice President, and President protem at International College of the Cayman Islands over a sixteen-year period. At present he is a corporator in the Westfield State University Foundation. He has also worn a third hat as an ordained Catholic Permanent Deacon for the past thirty six years.
Contact:
Bernard Fleury
bernlida@comcast.net
http://www.intolifebylight.com
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