With self, others, and our world …
Guidelines for Achieving More Satisfying Relationships
based on the principles of General-Semantics

by Milton Dawes

 we have to change the ways we think’ about things;

 we have to change the ways we ‘think’ about ourselves;

we have to change the ways we ‘think’ about others;

we have to change the ways we ‘think’ about our world..

How is it that we humans have advanced so far in science, mathematics and technology, yet we demonstrate so much confusion, misunderstanding, hatred, and violence in our interactions with others, and within ourselves?

This question led engineer and scholar Alfred Korzybski on a lifelong quest to examine the structures behind the methods of science and mathematics – which he thought’, were examples of human evaluating at its best (in terms of predictability). He proposed that if we studied, and applied these methods, (where applicable) to our everyday lives, we were likely to achieve a measure of success comparable to that achieved in these two disciplines. He formulated their most up to date principles into a practical, teachable system. He called this system General Semantics – and introduced it in his major work Science and Sanity.

General-Semantics is about us-in-our world. It is about the selves we create; the kind of societies we create; and the problems we create for ourselves and others, by our uncritical use of language. We can use it to help us develop more sensitive awareness – without which, we cannot begin to correct, or improve on anything we do. It provides us with guidelines – psycho-logical tools we can use, to help us better understand ourselves and others; improve our relationships; and so better manage our lives.

We can follow these guidelines to help us:

develop and use our intelligence more intelligently

become clearer, more focused, more critical thinkers

gain more power over our words, rather than have our words have power over us

become more creative problem solvers and more skillful negotiators

become better managers of our times and ourselves

become more skillful decision makers

become more creative, imaginative, managers of change

learn ways to avoid, diminish, and manage stress in our relationships

create more satisfying personal and professional relationships

better understand and manage conflicts within ourselves and with others

live more satisfying lives