The author proposes a theory of the development of consciousness in which ego is the central agent of socialization and culture and the driving force behind individual self-control and self-regulation. He reviews the literature on identity and narrative; outlines the fields of intellectual, self, moral, and consciousness development; and discusses the evidence indicating that the development of consciousness trancends the limitations of conventional ego development.

Inhalt

Part I: A Sketch for a Theory of Psychology. 1. The Relevance of Psychology to Spiritual Development. 2. The Nature of Development. 3. Evolution. 4. Impulse Control and Repression. 5. Cognition. 6. Language. Part II: On the Threshold of the Spirit. 7. Identity. 8. Narrative. 9. Epistemic Knowing. 10. Knowing the Self. 11. Social and Moral Knowing. 12. Cosmic Knowing. Conclusion. Index.