Transcendence and Mature Thought in Adulthood: The Further Reaches of Adult Development

by Melvin E. Miller, Susanne R. Cook-Greuter

Overview

This book is one of the very first to concentrate upon positive growth and development in the more advanced years of life. Incorporating both traditional Western paths of development and Eastern, meditative approaches, and both theoretical and empirical material, the contributors explore the many paths to postformal and postconventional development. They challenge the field of psychology to reconsider some of its most fundamental premises concerning how people change and develop over the course of their lives, including many of its conventional metaphysical and ontological assumptions; and they challenge the reader to actively continue his or her own growth process.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780847679188
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	04/26/1994
Pages:	306
Product dimensions:	6.35(w) x 9.35(h) x 1.13(d)

About the Author

Melvin E. Miller is Associate Professor of Psychology at Norwich University, a past President of the New England Psychological Association, and editor of Higher Stages of Human Development

Suzanne R. Cook-Greuter is a doctoral student in the Department of Human Development at Harvard University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Introduction: From Postconventional Development to Transcendence: Visions and Theories, Melvin E. Miller and Susanne R. Cook-Greuter Chapter 3 PART I: A Theoretical Overview of the Field Part 4 Unanimity and Disagreement among Transpersonal Psychologists, Joel Funk Chapter 5 PART II: Theory-Based Frameworks of Mature Development and Transcendence Part 6 Advanced Human Development in the Vedic Psychology of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi: Theory and Research, Charles N. Alexander, Dennis P. Heaton, and Howard M. Chandler Part 7 Cognitive Development and Transcendence: An Emerging Paradigm of Consciousness, L. Eugene Thomas Part 8 The Structure of Mind and Its Resources, Phil Nuernberger Chapter 9 PART III: Theories of Mature Development Based on Empirical Research Part 10 Rare Forms of Self-Understanding in Mature Adults, Susanne R. Cook-Greuter Part 11 World Views, Ego Development, and Epistemological Changes from the Conventional to the Postformal: A Longitudinal Perspective, Melvin E. Miller Part 12 Cultivating Post-Formal Adult Development: Higher Stages and Contrasting Interventions, William R. Torbert Chapter 13 PART IV: Postconventional Ethical and Moral Development Part 14 The Ethics of Enlightenment: An Expanded Perspective on the Highest Stage of Moral Development, Steven M. Druker Part 15 Ahimsa, Justice, and the Unity of Life: Postconventional Morality from an Indian Perspective, Jyotsna Vasudev Chapter 16 About the Editors Chapter 17 Contributors Chapter 18 Index

Editorial Reviews

Transcendence and Mature Thought in Adulthood takes developmental stage theory beyond the highest levels conceived by theorists such as Piaget, Kohlberg, and Loevinger. .. The book. .. is on the cutting edge of developmental inquiry into the highest of human possibilities.

Michael Washburn

The most sustained and sophisticated conversation between constructive-developmental and transpersonal psychologies available in print. The result is a wonderfully demanding and rewarding collection of chapters beyond the cutting edge!

Robert Kegan

The most sustained and sophisticated conversation between constructive-developmental and transpersonal psychologies available in print. The result is a wonderfully demanding and rewarding collection of chapters beyond the cutting edge!--Robert Kegan, Harvard University

Transcendence and Mature Thought in Adulthood takes developmental stage theory beyond the highest levels conceived by theorists such as Piaget, Kohlberg, and Loevinger . . . The book . . . is on the cutting edge of developmental inquiry into the highest of human possibilities.--Michael Washburn, Indiana University, South Bend

From the Publisher