Improvement of the Mind

Stephen Norris Fellows and Isaac Watts

Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.8 stars; 12 reviews)

"No man is obliged to learn and know everything; this can neither be sought nor required, for it is utterly impossible; yet all persons are under some obligation to improve their own understanding; otherwise it will be a barren desert, or a forest overgrown with weeds and brambles. Universal ignorance or infinite errors will overspread the mind which is utterly neglected and lies without any cultivation.

The common duties and benefits of society, which belong to every man living, as we are social creatures, and even our native and necessary relations to a family, a neighborhood, or government, oblige all persons, whatsoever, to use their reasoning powers upon a thousand occasions; every hour of life calls for some regular exercise of our judgment, as to time and things, persons and actions: without a prudent and discreet determination in matters before us, we shall be plunged into perpetual errors in our conduct. Now, that which should always be practiced must at some time be learned."

This version has been abridged from Watt's original by Stephen Norris Fellows as follows:
"In endeavoring to adapt it to the needs of the present, the following changes have been made: First — Nearly one-third of the book has been eliminated, as being too theological or too closely related to the age and country of the author. Second — A brief but comprehensive analysis has been prepared, which appears as a table of contents. Third — Prominence is given to some of the more essential doctrines by stating them in large type, while explanatory and illustrative matter is given in smaller type.
But few changes have been made in the text other than those mentioned above, as it seemed desirable to preserve the unique and forcible style of the author. The original work was first published in 1727, and although it is over one hundred and fifty years old, yet its teachings are in substantial harmony with the truest pedagogical doctrines of to-day. It is believed that in its present form and dress it is adapted to private reading, and reading circles, and also as a text-book in Secondary and NormaI Schools." - Summary by Introduction and Preface (6 hr 56 min)

Chapters

Introduction	3:23	Read by InTheDesert
General Rules for the Improvement of Knowledge	36:27	Read by Ron Altman
Five Eminent Methods of Gaining Knowledge	31:10	Read by SreeramC
Rules Relating to Observation	10:15	Read by Leigh Briar
Of Books and Reading	26:35	Read by jenno
Judgement of Books	22:10	Read by jenno
Of Living Instructors and Lectures, of Teachers and Learners	9:35	Read by SreeramC
Of Inquiring into the Sense and Meaning of any Writer or Speaker, and especiall…	7:08	Read by InTheDesert
Rules of Improvement by Conversation	28:30	Read by KHand
Of Disputes and Debates	14:17	Read by Owlivia
Of Study, or Meditation	18:28	Read by Kassandra
Of Fixing the Attention	9:18	Read by SreeramC
On Enlarging the Capacity of the Mind	21:53	Read by Leigh Briar
Of Improving the Memory	57:20	Read by Isen7
Of Determining a Question	35:34	Read by Leigh Briar
Of Inquiring into Causes and Effects	10:58	Read by Kerry Adams
Methods of Teaching and Reading Lectures	19:22	Read by SreeramC
Of an Instructive Style	12:10	Read by Kerry Adams
Of Convincing Other Persons of any Truth, or Delivering them from Errors and Mi…	15:57	Read by Leigh Briar
Of Authority. Of the Abuse of it: and of its Real and Proper Use and Service	15:02	Read by Leigh Briar
Of Treating and Managing the Prejudices of Men	10:37	Read by InTheDesert

Reviews

true to its title.

(4.5 stars)

Matthew Blank

talk about home improvement! A brilliant book. I will be listening again,

This book was better than I Expected

(5 stars)

Karen Bromberg

After listening to this audio book, I discovered that many of the teachings in this book are still reavelant today. This book is very through and mind provoking. I'm glad that I found this interesting book on Librivox.