Few books offer the intellectual depth of this one. It provides the axioms observations and prescriptions that can serve as foundational elements for a scientific school of psychology.

Part I presents what Cole has dubbed Cognology. This science relies on introspection to describe the mind's fundamental aspects and actions. Using such observations he organized Cognology by subject included are percepts concepts free will conscious and subconscious actions and his most fundamental discovery: there are only two basic approaches to thinking.

Part II deals with two interactive essentials of mental health: sound and creative thinking. The lead prescription for sound thinking calls for basing ideas on facts.

Companion rules explain how logic is used to maintain one's tie to reality-both In forming each individual idea and in mastering the multiple ideas at play in life's issues. With the refinements Cole has brought to the field of logic these guidelines are readily understood.

The prescriptions for creative thinking details how imagination hypotheses and the above principles of sound thinking can be orchestrated to develop innovative ideas and products both epic and ordinary.

Cole summarizes logic's impact on the Western world over the last 2000 years: prosperity physical and psychological occurs in proportion to logic's prevalence.

With that thought as a rallying point he challenges readers to become instrumental in achieving an enduring Renaissance by championing rationality in all endeavors especially in ethical matters.

Ray Cole

Ray Cole has always wanted to understand how people form ideas. "At an early age I enjoyed listening to adult conversation. One time a friend of my dad answered a question by saying &lsquoYes and no.' I was completely shocked thinking &lsquoHow can anyone answer that way?' The friend explained that his answer depended upon circumstances. Looking back that was a powerful introduction to the importance of context."

Ray's interest in the mind's workings continued through his college and professional years. He spent three years with The Travelers Insurance Company in Hartford Connecticut then left to become a partner in a firm of compensation consultants. He worked at its suburban Chicago headquarters and the New York Chicago Los Angeles and San Francisco regional offices. While there Ray served a term on the firm's Executive Committee spent a year as president of The Conference of Consulting Actuaries and co-founded a Montessori school.

In his spare time he continued to pursue his interest in cognition. Ray recalls "I would read late into the night on economics politics and philosophy keeping an eye out for well-reasoned presentations. In particular Ayn Rand's works made it clear to me that survival and prosperity depend on reason. I was inspired by this to advance the cause of reason."

So inspired was he that soon after early retirement he spent years writing The Ultimate Talent: Creativity's Anthem. Colewas motivated in part by the realization that books that rationally develop the humanities can move the culture forward. He explains "My book provides observatons that can serve as foundational elements for a rational school of psychology. I started with axioms and built upon them. This approach appropriately modified can be used to scientifically develop the underpinnings of other disciplines.

His current plans include writing articles that apply reason to contemporary issues and providing tutorial exercises he calls HOMEWORK&trade. He is also looking for authors to publish with his specialty press THE RATIONAL CURRICULUMS ENTERPRISE&trade.