Temes employs the same probing approach he used in The Just War
to explore the best way to live a meaningful life. He posits that there are three levels of thinking; the first two are "how do I feel?" and "how do others feel about me?" The third, which elevates existence, is "how do others feel about themselves?" Drawing on sources as diverse as Aristotle and I.B. Singer's "Gimpel the Fool," as well as men and women who make a difference today, Temes argues for living at the third level both personally and professionally: "helping others look good in their own eyes and finding strength and happiness in yourself by helping others feel stronger and happier." This mode of thought will lead to better management, better parenting and a better world, says Temes, who draws on his own experience to illustrate how spending time with his family meant more to him than a career. Temes, who teaches literary humanities at Columbia, is to some extent pouring old wine into new bottles (help yourself by helping others), but he offers a text that probes deeply and, happily, counters the idea that self-help is only about self-advancement. (Mar.)
