“We uploaded all our published books and asked two questions”

Question 1: What ideas in philosophy are resonant with the ideas expounded in the uploaded texts?

The ideas expounded in the uploaded texts resonate deeply with several philosophical traditions and concepts.

These connections highlight the universality and profoundness of Etsko Schuitema’s themes, bridging personal growth, leadership, and spiritual maturity with foundational ideas in philosophy.

Here are the primary resonances (points 7-10):

7. Taoism

• Resonant Ideas: Harmony with the Tao (the Way), non-attachment, and the balance between action and inaction.
• Connection: The balance between intent and attention, as well as the idea of surrendering to the natural flow of life, is reminiscent of Taoist principles. In Tao Te Ching, Laozi advocates for alignment with the Tao through simplicity, humility, and letting go of self-centered desires, akin to Schuitema’s call for benevolent intent and surrender

8. Pragmatism

• Resonant Ideas: The alignment of thought and action, and the focus on practical outcomes.
• Connection: The Care and Growth model and its application in leadership and organizations reflect the pragmatist view that ideas are valuable when they work in practice. Philosophers like William James and John Dewey emphasized that meaningful change requires action rooted in a clear intent, similar to Schuitema’s focus on transformative leadership through individual and collective growth.

9. Phenomenology

• Resonant Ideas: Direct experience, intentionality, and the structure of consciousness.
• Connection: Schuitema’s exploration of attentiveness and presence ties closely to Edmund Husserl’s phenomenology, which prioritizes the intentional structure of consciousness. The focus on perceiving reality as it is, without ego-driven filters, aligns with the phenomenological method of bracketing assumptions to engage directly with the essence of experience.

10. Humanistic Psychology

• Resonant Ideas: Self-actualization and unconditional positive regard.
• Connection: The texts’ emphasis on personal and collective growth, the maturation process, and giving unconditionally aligns with Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and self-actualization, as well as Carl Rogers’ principles of empathy and authenticity in relationships.