The Origin of Illness: Psychological, Physical and Social [Paperback]

Norberto R. Keppe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2002

Drawing on 30 years of clinical research, this book asserts that envy is humankind's primary pathology, the root of all ills. Norberto R Keppe has created a scientific methodology that can help uncover internal corruption. This methodology is effective both for those seeking psychotherapy and for those who want to improve their quality of life. This book supplies the necessary tools to construct the strength, resourcefulness, and resilience needed to become happier, healthier, and more loving human beings.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Norberto R Keppe

Product Details

• Paperback: 162 pages
• Publisher: Campbell Hall Press (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966430220
• ISBN-13: 978-0966430226
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,132,007 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is fundamental reading for anyone!, October 29, 2002

By 

Sofie Bergqvist (Stockholm, Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Origin of Illness: Psychological, Physical and Social (Paperback)

This book is fundamental reading for anyone who desires a deeper awareness of himself and others and especially the world in which we live. It is also basic reading for a better understanding of the unique and innovative work of the renowned psychoanalyst, philosopher and social scientist, Dr. Norberto R. Keppe.

In "The Origin of Illness" Keppe describes the three stages that lead us all to these conflicts and difficulties, and how through consciousness of this vicious circle we can improve our lives, our relationships and society. The author gives many practical examples, which we all can relate to, including excerpts from a number of his client's analysis sessions.

The first part of the book deals with the fundamental human problem, which is envy. This deep and hidden envy which is in everyone, to a greater or lesser degree, makes us blind to all that is good and beautiful in life, and consequently hinders or even destroys, all opportunity for development and progress.

The second part of the book addresses our fear of perceiving and dealing with our shortcomings. Keppe explains that the problem isn't having a problem, but in not seeing the problem. And this is our dilemma: how can we solve our problems when we do not admit that they exist?

The final section of the book deals with projection, which is the process of seeing all of our own problems or qualities in other people and things. Because of our enormous resistance to self-knowledge, we turn our eyes to the external world in an attempt to ignore our internal psychological life. Instead of seeing that the cause of the dissatisfaction is inside of me, for example, I blame my partner, my parents, my workmates, the city in which I live, etc. Projection is the cause of human conflicts, and the end result is that we to lose contact with reality and ourselves.

This book gives a whole new expansive perspective of the psychopathology of the human being and the civilization we have built. It provides answers to the question of why we experience so little true happiness in our lives and why we destroy the good in ourselves, each other and life in general.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Missing Psychological Link, September 29, 2002

By 

Madalann B. Morginn (Vancouver, B.C. Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Origin of Illness: Psychological, Physical and Social (Paperback)

This is is the only book I have found that gives the definitive universal answer to those crucial questions: Why are we unhappy and depressed? Why are we self-destructive? Why are we hell-bent on destroying the planet? What drives us to do the crazy things we do? In this easy-to-read book, Dr. Keppe tells us why: it's name is "Envy" and it unconsciously drives us to destroy all that is good in ourselves, others and life in general. And in the process, we are driving ourselves to the brink of insanity and extinction.

This isn't just another little self-help book to get happy and healthy - this is an expansive and breath-taking body of work based on over 30 years of intensive scientific research and clinical experience.

Humanity is in dire straits - we are at a crossroads and unless we start to address the psychological imbalances and neurosis that, according to Keppe, each and every one of has to a greater or lesser degree, we are bound for mass destruction and extinction.

On a personal level, the book was profoundly helpful in allowing me to see in a way I've never seen before (even with the previous help of psychotherapy) my own unconscious desire to sabotage my life and everything good in it. Thanks to the incredible insights and awareness I received from this book, I now feel I have a fighting chance to live a productive and meaningful life

This book should be mandatory reading for every person on the planet!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keppe's Method Works!, October 27, 2002

By 

David Brady (Pahrump, NV United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Origin of Illness: Psychological, Physical and Social (Paperback)

The Origin of Illness should be in every library and on the book shelf of every person who works with or around people. The work of Norberto Keppe, a Brazilian psychiatrist, is quite arguably the best bet to develop a unification of philosophy, theology and science of all the current psychological theories. The Origin of Illness is based on over 30 years of careful scientific analysis by Norberto Keppe. The scope and importance of his work can be explored by looking under the term Analytic Trilogy on your search engine.

Warning! This is not a easy fix, magic bullet, self-help book. The Origin of Illness is not an easy read, i.e., do not skim and expect to get the gist of it. Do not let the fact it is "thin" book fool you either. The writing is direct, spare, and precise. It is a profound well written book. Each page offers wisdom and insights when you carefully attend to what Keppe is saying.

The reader needs to carefully note and hold in mind the meanings Keppe gives to terms. If you don't do this you will not understand the significance of what he has discovered about the phenomena being discussed. For example, he uses envy to describe a condition of not being able to see the goodness, the truth, and the beauty in our world. Another example is the use of the word unconscious to entail negating consciousness of our problems, i.e., the unconscious is not a container or a compartment in which things are stored out of our awareness. Happily, the task of keeping the terms in mind has been made easier by including a glossary of terms at the end of the book

Keppe's inclusion of samples of actual analysis sessions is helpful and demonstrates the terms in use. They also give the reader an opportunity to insights about their own blind spots. The method used by Keppe takes spiritual courage: You constantly strive to become ever more aware of the things you and others are doing that lead to psychological, physical and social illness. This awareness becomes the basis for dealing with problems. Problems never go away but you can constantly choose to go towards the good, truthful and beautiful in life.

I have to admit I have a very strong bias in favor of Keppe's work based on my 40+ years experience in the human service field in mental health, education, and corrections. All those years I was constantly looking for practical ways to assist people overcome their problems. Then I discovered Keppe's work. Keppe is on to something important about the human condition. Simply put, IT WORKS! Keppe's therapeutic model is highly ethical, respectful and radical in that it goes directly to to source of the problem --- our lack of awareness of how we attack the good in our life and in the lives of others.

In closing, The Origins of Illness is, to me, both a practical aid and spiritual guide. I am currently incorporating his approach in groups for court referred domestic violence perpetrators, anger management classes, and addicts in a residential program with excellent results. Keppe's practices require compassionate honesty on the part of the therapist and educator when dealing with clients. And you need to constantly work on becoming ever more aware of your own contaminated thinking and blind spots.