Keywords
Citation
(2001), "Exploring Personality: An Intellectual Odyssey", Kybernetes, Vol. 30 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/k.2001.06730aae.004
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
Exploring Personality: An Intellectual Odyssey
Exploring Personality: An Intellectual Odyssey
Russel AckoffInteractBoston, MA260 pp.Paper: US$15
Keywords: Publication, Cybernetics, Personality
This is part of the CQM-INTERACT-Monograph Series No. 1 and was published in 1998. Nothing of the author's work really dates, so the publication year is of little consequence. It has already created a great deal of interest and it has been written in his own inimitable style. The author's main field is, of course, management science but this text, we are told can, and perhaps should, be read by anyone who is interested in people. It is, of course, about personality and its approach is new, witty and provides some very unusual chapter headings viz: "Headaches, candy, and pets". It contains some useful final chapters and the final sections discuss "Interviews" as well as "Self-administered tests". References are also supplied and also two appendices. Those who were taught the glib definition (Cyril Burt?) that "personality is a totality which is itself" will enjoy widening their horizons, but do not expect a classical psychological text from Russel Ackoff.