Italian version

Carl Rogers, born in 1902 and died in 1987, was one of the most prominent American psychologists and one of the most significant representatives of humanistic psychology. Through the concept of “person-centered therapy,” he introduced a new way of thinking about helping relationships.
The main point of Rogers’ thinking is that the therapist can facilitate the person’s fulfillment process through empathy, authenticity and unconditional acceptance. Such thinking is based on the belief that every person has an innate drive for the full realization of his or her potential. This tendency toward self-realization is explained by Rogers through the well-known analogy of potato sprouts, which grow in search of light even in the darkest and most unfavorable places.

The book “A Way of Being” was originally published in 1980 by Houghton Mifflin Company. The book is divided into three parts:

• The account of his life journey, from youth to old age, and the development of his way of thinking
• The description of person-centered therapy and considerations of its applicability not only to interpersonal relationships, but also to relationships between groups, peoples and nations
• His understanding of the educational process and his vision of the impact a person-centered culture could have in directing the future of humanity

In 1987, shortly before his death, he received a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize for his significant contributions to peacebuilding and the resolution of serious conflicts in Northern Ireland and South Africa. This Nobel Peace Prize nomination, in my opinion, gives insight into the greatness and wisdom of Rogers, who had the insight that the principles underlying his person-centered approach could also be successfully applied to foster the development of a peaceful and harmonious humanity.

The book is written in a simple but effective style, and offers us plenty of insights for improvement and reflection. I conclude by emphasizing the importance of the crucial assumption underlying Rogers’ approach. The belief that each of us has an innate tendency toward self-actualization is the basis for a culture oriented toward respect for each person, which is a fundamental element in thinking about a future that is truly sustainable.

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