Taking Responsibility: Self-Reliance and the Accountable Life

The author embraces free will as the dominant element in human character. He slights nature in the “nature-nurture” debate that continues to move from absolute nurture toward nature as each new genetically linked “behavior” is discovered.

An undue emphasis on nurture can underlie dangerous social arguments across the political spectrum. The Soviets created the biologist Lysenko to debunk the Darwinism that differed with the idea that human behavior could be molded to fit a utopian society; the American right wing sees the downtrodden as examples only of moral weakness, not as likely victims of fetal malnourishment through multiple generations.

The issue with Branden’s position is that it doesn’t call upon the reader to examine the inborn component of human behavior. This is not to say that genes should excuse one from taking responsibility for one’s actions. Nevertheless, a treatise on self-help should alert the reader to the possibility that pharmacological treatment may be in order. With the preceding arguments in mind, Branden’s writing does underscore the power and importance of “free will” and of believing in free will.
Rating: 5 / 5

As a prominent psychotherapist the author talks about RESPONSIBILITY at the most fundamental level. Given the complexity of society today, I had a very confused outlook on what “responsibility” meant. Usually reflecting what others wanted from me. After reading Dr. Branden’s book I understood what I’m responsible for and what I am NOT. And what are the consequences of taking and not taking personal responsibility on our self-esteem, on our lives and in our relationships. The language is simple, direct and practical that you can use in your daily lives.

Rating: 5 / 5

All of us have tried something and failed. The question then is, “How did this happen?” The answers are sometimes complex, but one central feature under each person’s control is whether he or she can claim some amount of responsibility for their thinking, feeling, and behaving.

Self-responsibility and accountability are the heart of Branden’s self-help book, especially the notion that each person is accountable for choices, decisions, actions, beliefs, values, management of time, choice of companions, and one’s own happiness. At some level, this self-help book is a refreshing reality-based tonic.

Branden also talks about self-responsibility in organizations, which I found helpful. Less helpful, however, is his condemnation of welfare, because he does not take into account the lack of responsibility in the people who made the welfare system so “good.” Also, he does not take into account the realistic difficulties that people in poverty have, nor the success stories of families who have emerged from poverty. In this sense, he presages O’Reilly. He would have been more consistent by talking about the destruction of responsibility by drugs and alcohol.

This is a short read. I hope you enjoy it.
Rating: 4 / 5