Evan Hadkins’s Articles at Psychology, Philosophy and Real Life, Page 12

Viewing communication as shared experience leads to a different approach to communication breakdown.

Conflict about certainty can have a big impact on our relationships. When we are certain of one thing and someone we trust is certain of something else we may have a problem. Can we keep the relationship and disagree?

Numbers are important, but it’s easy to mix up quantity and quality — especially when it comes to quality of life. The quality of our lives is partly determined by our own values and preferences, our sensitivity and the disciplines we pursue.

It is often argued that quality is subjective, but I am convinced this line of thinking is wrong. I can enjoy reading trash and listening to schmaltzy music, but I don’t think that the trash is as good as Shakespeare or the schmaltz as good as Bach. I can separate quality from enjoyment.

I’d like to ask whether therapy can be positive. And I’d like to answer yes. This answer leads us smack bang into the realm of values.