Reflection on "The Courage to Be Disliked" by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

                                                

These are extracts from a Facebook post by my friend Harold Rozario and my thoughts.

In this thought-provoking dialogue, the authors engage with Alfred Adler’s psychological principles to explore themes of self-acceptance, personal freedom, and the essence of happiness. The conversation unfolds between a philosopher and a young man, leading to several insightful concepts:

 

Separation of Tasks: A key idea in the book is the "separation of tasks," which encourages individuals to discern their responsibilities from those of others.

 

I have taken on the task of raising awareness about why some children disengage from learning to read and how we can combat illiteracy. I know nothing about politics and many other matters and leave that to others.

 

Overcoming the Desire for Approval: The book highlights the negative impact of seeking validation from others. The philosopher suggests that the quest for external approval can stifle personal growth.

 

I resonate with this idea, as I have challenged the widely held belief that dyslexia stems from phonological awareness deficits. My persistent writing has contributed to the debunking of this theory.

Since that theory has been debunked, what is the cause of kids being unable to read?

Now, I advocate for teaching children the correct pronunciation of letter sounds, addressing a fundamental issue that leads to disengagement in reading. The intervention will be reduced if we address this issue. Kids misbehaviour in schools will also reduce and so will suicide attempts. This will in turn reduce the number of teachers leaving schools.

Unfortunately, this is not what the intervention teachers want. Intervention teachers appear to resist efforts to reduce illiteracy.

A persistent illiteracy problem ensures their job security. A high level of need for intervention can justify their roles and funding for their programs.

Soon, we will examine why researchers do not want to discuss this. 

 

The Importance of Community: The authors stress that humans are social beings, and building connections is vital for a fulfilling life.

 

I find this challenging, as many on social media seem misled by those with vested interests, despite the compelling evidence I provide. Asking simple questions has gotten me blocked by many 'educators and researchers'. Should I therefore stop asking relevant questions and allow others to be misled so as to build connections?

 

The Role of Courage: Courage is a recurring theme in the book. The authors assert that embracing one’s individuality and facing potential criticism is essential for personal freedom.

 

I draw strength from my experiences, recognizing that many researchers often rely on theoretical knowledge rather than real-world insights. Now, I have one guy questioning me on my posts and I thank him as it now gives me an avenue to answer questions that may have been in other minds.

 

The Illusion of Control: The text discusses the futility of trying to control others or external circumstances, which can lead to frustration.

 

I’ve realized this truth and have no desire to control anyone. I hope that influencers, especially those outside of education, will grasp this idea and promote it to help reduce illiteracy.

 

Overall, "The Courage to Be Disliked" offers profound insights into happiness, self-acceptance, and personal freedom. Through the dialogue between the philosopher and the young man, readers are encouraged to embrace their individuality, release the need for approval, and cultivate meaningful connections. This book serves as a powerful reminder that personal growth and happiness are choices that require courage and self-reflection.