About the Book
This interdisciplinary work offers a comprehensive analysis of paradoxes and paradoxical thinking, exploring their manifestations in philosophy, societal dynamics, personality, and neuroscience. Demonstrating various methods for the augmentation of creativity and improved performance, this book uniquely integrates theoretical perspective with case studies and practical applications. As such it elucidates the theory and mechanisms of transforming the apparently impossible into the possible, illustrated by cases of social innovators successfully addressing insurmountable challenges. Aimed at graduate and postgraduate social science students and scholars, with over 500 bibliographical references, the text remains accessible to a broader audience due to its engaging language. Emphasizing the significance of paradoxes and paradoxical thinking in both professional and everyday contexts, it provides a nuanced exploration of paradoxical phenomena, making it a valuable resource for academic and general readers alike.
Table of Contents:
List of Figures; List of Tables; Acknowledgments; Introduction; Part I. Paradoxes and What They Do to Us: 1. Defining the Concepts; 2. Mind and Paradoxes; 3. The Influence of Paradoxical Thinking and How to Evaluate It; Part II. Sudden Unexpected Changes: 4. Abrupt Changes; 5. Social Movements and Singularities; 6. Early Indicators of Possible Singularities: The Lessons Drawn from NSMs; 7. Predicting the Unpredictable; Part III. Challenging the Impossible: 8. Possibilitivity: Perceiving Insurmountable Challenges as Doable; 9. Possibilitivity Heroes; Part IV. Peace and Its Challenges: 10. Peace-Oriented Mindset (POM); 11. POM Heroes; Part V. Paradoxes and Creativity: 12. Generating New and Useful Ideas; 13. Brain Plasticity; 14. Avenues for Enhancing Neuroplasticity; Part VI. Paradoxes in Action: 15. Turning the Impossible into the Possible; 16. Paradoxes in Psychotherapy; 17. Life and Paradoxes; Précis; References; Index.
About the Author :
Ryszard Praszkier, Ph.D., is a researcher-emeritus at the Institute for Social Studies, University of Warsaw.
Review :
'The ability to hold two opposed ideas in your mind can lead to creativity in your life as an individual, an entrepreneur, a reflective practitioner, and a leader. In this uniquely encompassing book, Ryszard Praszkier shows you how to embrace the magic of paradoxical thinking with wonder, joy, and humor. He teaches you how to reveal a paradox of a difficult situation and how to leverage it to innovate in the newly networked environment. The author's extensive scholarship is combined with a surpassing experience in social entrepreneurship and psychotherapy. With many notable cases, this book will change the way you think and achieve. Praszkier will expand your intellectual horizons and spur you to action you had thought impossible.' Vladimir Zwass, Inaugural Gregory Olsen Endowed Chair, Fairleigh Dickinson University; Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Management Information Systems
'A beautifully unusual, erudite, and hopeful book that explores the possibility of the impossible, encourages further understanding, and invites you to wonder. This interdisciplinary study presents their relevance for the history that humans are still making. It is a reminder that human beings are in need of paradoxes and paradoxical thinking to survive and thrive.' Andrea Bartoli, President, Sant'Egidio Foundation for Peace and Dialogue; Senior Research Scholar, AC4, Columbia University
'We live in a world of ever-intensifying contradictions, systemic tensions, and complexity. Yet in this insightful book, Ryszard Praszkier invites us to not only embrace opposing forces, but to actively harness them through paradoxical thinking. Identifying and nurturing anti-trends in social dynamics, for example, can lead to system change; making opposing assumptions about known problems can lead to breakthrough creative solutions. Weaving together academic research and a multitude of real-life examples encompassing political movements, social entrepreneurship, conflict resolution, and innovation, it teaches us the efficacy of utilizing contradictions for uncovering hidden potential. In a zeitgeist obsessed with coherency and inclined to despondency, we need it now more than ever.' Orit Gal, Senior Lecturer for Strategy and Complexity, Regent's University
'Given the complexity of human cognition, human emotions, human relationships, and human existence, very little is as predictable or as consistent as we may wish it was or as we may believe it is. Here, Dr. Praszkier offers us a lucid, informed, and nuanced delve into the world of paradox, revealing its ever-present nature in our lives and the ways in which inconsistency and unpredictability manifest in the simple and complex things we engage in. By revealing and delving into paradox across multiple fields of thinking and inquiry, we come to better understand ourselves and our lives. This is the rare treatise that is informative to academics as well as lay thinkers.' Robert A. Simon, Ph.D., Forensic Psychology Consulting
'This exciting and innovative book takes a unique view of the complexity of our age. It addresses the contemporary reality of the paradoxes we confront and describes, through case studies, the unforeseen advantages of paradoxical thinking, where an idea and its opposite can both be correct. This awareness has positive impacts on both personal and professional life and decision-making. The volume is highly relevant to academics and, because of its clear and engaging language, will attract the general public as well.' Jody Jensen, Jean Monet Chair, University of Pannonia; Director of MA Program in International Studies, Köszeg
