I have just finished reading a remarkable book, "The Social Animal", by David Brooks (op-ed columnist for the NY Times). I highly recommend it.

Brooks states in his "acknowledgments" the the book is "an attempt to integrate science and psychology with sociology, politics, cultural commentary, and the literature of success." It's about how the mind and brain produces amazing insights about who we are, and its impact (insights) on the wider culture (very little).

The book is written through the eyes of an American couple (Harold and Erica), from birth to death, their growth, successes and failures.

I liked the part about "thumos", a Greek word that means our innate desire for recognition. We want others to recognize our existance, not only for now, but for all time. That includes the desire for eternal fame--"to attract admiration and be worthy of admiration." That hit home.

Much of the book stresses the role of the unconscious mind, the "creative and enchanted one", where most of the brain's work gets done. "this is the realm of emotions, intuitions, biases, longings, genetic predispositions, personality traits, and social norms: the realm where character is formed and where our most important life decisions are made."

It's a thought-provoking book from which I gained an insight into my own person--and others! I not only learned a lot, but envisioned my past, present and future in reading "The Social Animal".