Philosophy Now Forum

http://www.amazon.com/Reaper-Autobiogra ... the+reaper
During his interview this morning, the author said that after returning home he started having difficulties. As therapy, he decided to write about his experiences and the result was this autobiography.

Why does the act of writing apparently have a therapeutic effect?

tbieter wrote:http://www.amazon.com/Reaper-Autobiogra ... the+reaper
During his interview this morning, the author said that after returning home he started having difficulties. As therapy, he decided to write about his experiences and the result was this autobiography.

Why does the act of writing apparently have a therapeutic effect?

It's a way of expressing thought. Also the feeling of socially contributing.

GreatandWiseTrixie wrote:

tbieter wrote:http://www.amazon.com/Reaper-Autobiogra ... the+reaper
During his interview this morning, the author said that after returning home he started having difficulties. As therapy, he decided to write about his experiences and the result was this autobiography.

Why does the act of writing apparently have a therapeutic effect?

It's a way of expressing thought. Also the feeling of socially contributing.

Yes, writing is a tool. And it does provoke feelings. But, why does the act of writing seem to benefit the person who is having mental problems, such as the author had? Is rationality involved?

Writing (as communicative act) imposes discipline.

That is: to write (well) you have to think and rethink (not just 'feel').

If a head is muddled, confused, chaotic (perhaps 'feeling' too much): writing can force an ordering (by way of reasoning [thinking]) which can lead to clarity.

tbieter wrote:

GreatandWiseTrixie wrote:

tbieter wrote:http://www.amazon.com/Reaper-Autobiogra ... the+reaper
During his interview this morning, the author said that after returning home he started having difficulties. As therapy, he decided to write about his experiences and the result was this autobiography.

Why does the act of writing apparently have a therapeutic effect?

It's a way of expressing thought. Also the feeling of socially contributing.

Yes, writing is a tool. And it does provoke feelings. But, why does the act of writing seem to benefit the person who is having mental problems, such as the author had? Is rationality involved?

The feeling of socially contributing. It's the same reason otakus play mmorpgs. They dont fit in to the outside world and even paranoids need to feel some form of social contribution.

henry quirk wrote:Writing (as communicative act) imposes discipline.

That is: to write (well) you have to think and rethink (not just 'feel').

If a head is muddled, confused, chaotic (perhaps 'feeling' too much): writing can force an ordering (by way of reasoning [thinking]) which can lead to clarity.

Excellent analysis. This is why teachers should require frequent written assignments or tasks. Unfortunately, they do so less today. I know a professor of religion. I once asked her if the ordinary college freshman was prepared for higher education. She replied: "They can't write a sentence!"

tbieter wrote:

henry quirk wrote:Writing (as communicative act) imposes discipline.

That is: to write (well) you have to think and rethink (not just 'feel').

If a head is muddled, confused, chaotic (perhaps 'feeling' too much): writing can force an ordering (by way of reasoning [thinking]) which can lead to clarity.

Excellent analysis. This is why teachers should require frequent written assignments or tasks. Unfortunately, they do so less today. I know a professor of religion. I once asked her if the ordinary college freshman was prepared for higher education. She replied: "They can't write a sentence!"

Watched this movie called "Diary of a genius" or something like that. Come to think of it, it couldn't have been called 'diary' of a genius it was about a kid who had a high IQ but couldn't write anything intelligient sounding.

"Excellent analysis."

Thanks.

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"This is why teachers should require frequent written assignments or tasks."

Agreed.

I also agree with Henry´s analysis.

Does writing on a forum like this one help to order one´s mind, too ?
It should.

My god: two folks who agree me...in the same thread!

Hell is gettin' cold.

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"Does writing on a forum like this one help to order one´s mind, too ?"

It can, but it's not a given that it will or does.

henry quirk wrote:My god: two folks who agree me...in the same thread!

Hell is gettin' cold.

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"Does writing on a forum like this one help to order one´s mind, too ?"

It can, but it's not a given that it will or does.

Go hug your nephew, whether he wants to or not, it'll help you get over the shock. Him? I'm not sure if it will help him or not. My daughter went through a phase where it was cool that I was her coach, then she got older and it wasn't cool anymore. Now, at least, I think she accepts that I can be useful, - at times.

Writing on a forum can be a good thing if you are willing to read what the others have to say about what you have written. If you automatically reject any criticism, it does you no good to be here.

HA!

He still finds me companionable.

Writing does have a kind of therapeutic effect, I think. It is helpful to write my thoughts down in order to really know what it is I am thinking at certain times.

I often write the essence of what bothers me personally on a piece of paper at home.
After a few days or weeks I look at the statements again and sometimes I feel embarassed. It is probably a sign that I have made progress.

This is what a diary can be good for. You make an emotional statement and after a few days you realize what was wrong and how to correct your view of things.

That seems like a good way to know how you felt at times-writing it down. I used to keep journals when I was younger, though I don't anymore.