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30/07/2015
Dear all!
I am a recently retired Specialist Physician having worked in NHS hospitals in the mid-1960`s as a Junior Doctor followed by a career as a Specialist Physician in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe and a return to work again in the NHS from 2003 until 2012 in a similar capacity until retirement at the end of that year. I remain a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London. Over a lifetime of medical practice I have observed and contemplated and since retirement began to write and research, finally realising that I had the material for a book. `Reflections of a Sceptic` was published by Troubador and offered for sale in February 2015. Described as `light philosophy` readers whom I know personally tell me that it is an entertaining and thought provoking read. As it is difficult to define the subject material in one or two sentences I copy below the introductory ‘Prologue’...
Prologue
The purpose of this work is ambitious aiming to explore some of the limits of human awareness and provide perspective on our existence, the vastness of the universe, the unfathomable mysteries of space and time, the flux of elements from which all matter, animate and inanimate, is composed and which continuously enter and leave our bodies so that we are never the same from one minute to another. Although we may periodically zoom out to the limits of our perception we have to withdraw to the more comfortable dimensions of our planet, forever our yardstick of space and time.
It is intended to highlight the kinship which binds all mankind and the necessity to know the origins of the attitudes and emotions which periodically divide us, prompt us to destroy each other and our works and at other times lay down our lives and labour tirelessly for one another. We share many impulses with our animal ancestors such as a preoccupation with territory, clan loyalty, social hierarchy and sexuality which are built into our psyche and if recognised can be modified and channelled positively to our communal benefit. I hope to create an understanding of the urgent need for us all to recognise that we are part of the human family and to use our considerable intellect to create peace and prosperity for humankind. Utopia is perhaps still within our reach but time is short and through greed and ignorance we are squandering our fast-fading opportunity to repair the world.
I will attempt to distinguish what is true and what is false, what is knowable and what we have yet to learn. It is sometimes better to continue to question than to assume an answer. I acknowledge that the issues I attempt to address form a tiny fraction of the growing complexity of human life and culture.
‘Reflections of a Sceptic’ is in two sections. The first explores the human phenomenon, our origins, behaviour and interaction with one another and our environment. ‘Know thyself` declares the ancient Delphic inscription on the Temple of Apollo. If we understand the source and nature of our impulses we may more easily sublimate and channel our behaviour towards constructive harmony. Through seeking a more universal perspective into our place in the fabric of life and within the cosmos we may play our part in repairing the world. It can only be agreed, without being overdramatic that humanity will be faced within a generation by increasing competition over resources, expanding populations and increasing risk of war which would at the very least disrupt the precariously balanced functions which support modern civilisation and at worst result in massive die-off of populations and mutual destruction. The doomsday scenario is avoidable, human intellect is more than capable of solving the problems if the perceptions are shared and grasped amongst Earth`s peoples prompting cooperation by the power blocs and a majority of nations. Part 1 of `Reflections...` attempts to define relevant perspectives in chapters on War and Peace, Territory, the dynamics of Amity and Enmity, Religion, Resources, Life, the Cosmos, the Elements and finally Age and Ageing, this chapter covering the important topics of Advance Health Directives, Palliative and Terminal Care.
Part 2 of `Reflections...` is subtitled (at first sight rather pretentiously!) ‘Repairing Britain’. The chapters include an exploration into the NHS, highlighting it`s virtues and inadequacies, currently a highly topical issue. I believe I have been well placed to observe the evolution of the NHS, able to observe the vast expansion in expertise and services but also to note a range of flaws and frustrations which have resulted from a number of `wrong turnings` by decision makers. It is not always possible to reverse misguided policies but I believe that with careful thought and some humility certain major flaws are amenable to correction.
A chapter on Justice and Punishment (in the UK) advocates the restoration of the Community Policeman (or ‘Bobby’) who interacts with and has detailed knowledge of the people in the locality and `being on the spot` can more effectively deal with domestic violence, harassment, minor crime and burglary. Also discussed are ways to augment the deterrent effect of short custodial sentences, a rational approach to reducing the prevalence of sex related crime, upgrading discipline in prisons, protecting vulnerable prisoners and control of illicit drug use in prisons.
Education is inarguably the key to national excellence. My book offers suggestions on control of bullying in schools, improving discipline and preparing youngsters for happy and productive integration into society. None of these offerings are in the nature of ‘rocket science’ yet year by year ‘piece meal’ changes are made which appear peripheral to the main issues.
Accepting that a writer cannot be truly objective over his/her work I believe ‘Reflections of a Sceptic’ is a worthy book which deserves to be read if only for the constructive insights which it offers.
`Reflections... ` conforms to a genre which is difficult to market particularly without reviews in popular newspapers and magazines, a privilege seldom extended to a first time author and so it has turned out to be. Fame and fortune would be nice but more important to me having expended much time and energy would be for the 500 copies (optimistically) printed to be read and the message, which I believe the book offers, to be disseminated. A close friend and colleague suggested that much of the content would be of value in teaching high school pupils. The views are not dogmatically expressed and mostly invite consideration. Mature pupils could be assigned to read a chapter for later discussion and debate as an alternative to the more usual `facts to be memorised`, the latter admittedly an important and essential part of education. The work may be used to highlight the need for young people to learn to question and not necessarily accept at face value the `facts` offered in the education process.
Troubador holds 400 copies of `Reflections of a Sceptic` for which I pay a storage fee. I offer The British Library 300 copies free of charge for distribution to schools or libraries. The distribution might stimulate future sales in which case Troubador could undertake a further printing but that is not the aim of sending you the books!
Having considered the foregoing, I would gladly post a copy without charge of ‘Reflections of a Sceptic’ to anyone interested.
Sincerely,
Michael Gelman.
