FIVE STEPS OF LOGIC BASED THERAPY

1. FIVE STEPS OF LOGIC BASED THERAPY

2. STEP 1: IDENTIFY THE EMOTION Emotive Cognition (E) = Intentional Object (O) + Rating (R) E = (O + R)

3. Some definitions of common emotions: Anger: The object of this emotion is something that someone did. You strongly, negatively rate the action itself or the person who did it. Guilt: The object of this emotion is a moral principle, which you perceive yourself to have violated. You strongly condemn the perceived violation or yourself for the perceived violation. Depression: The object of this emotion is an event or state of affairs that you strongly, negatively rate, and, on the basis of which, you bleakly perceive your own existence. Grief: The object of this emotion is the loss of someone (a person or animal) whom you strongly, positively rate, and, without whom, you bleakly perceive your own existence. Anxiety: The object of this emotion is a future event or possible future event, which you think will or might have serious, negative consequences.

4. STEP 2: IDENTIFY THE PREMISES OF THE EMOTIONAL REASONING Rule: If anyone lies to me, then he/she�s totally worthless Report: John lied to me Emotion: Anger: Object: John lied to me Rating: John�s totally worthless

5. STEP 3: REFUTING YOUR IRRATIONAL PREMISES You can think of a counter-example to the premise; The premise lacks sufficient evidence; The premise has unacceptable consequences; The premise involves an inconsistency.

6. Rule: If anyone lies to me, then he/she�s totally worthless  REFUTATION: If this rule is true, then that makes all of us worthless because all of us have invariably told a lie.

7. Rule: If you feel upset, then you might as well just accept it because it�s not in your control anyway. REFUTATION: If true, then you are no different than a biological machine, a robotic creature that automatically responds to external stimuli and lacks free will.

8. STEP 4: FINDING ANTIDOTES Rule: If anyone lies to me, then he/she�s totally worthless  Antidote: Stick to rating people�s actions and not the person. �He did something bad but that doesn�t mean HE is bad.�

9. Rule: If you feel upset, then you might as well just accept it because it�s not in your control anyway. Antidote: You should prove your freedom to yourself�prove to yourself that you are more than just some pre-programmed biological mechanism--by resisting your emotion--both behaviorally and cognitively.

10. Step 5: Exercising Willpower in Overcoming Cognitive Dissonance Aristotle asked, �How can a man fail in self-restraint when believing correctly that what he does is wrong?� HIS ANSWER: Weakness of the will!

11. WHAT IS THIS WILLPOWER? AN INTERNAL �MUSCLE� THAT CAN BE STRENGTHENED THROUGH PRACTICE AND EFFORT MUCH LIKE ANY OTHER MUSCLE.

12. SUMMING UP: �ARISTOTLE�S ANTIDOTE� TO EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE If you are wrought with frustration Identify your vexation File your report, and find your rule On them, try a refutation Whatever premise you refute Of its flaw, take careful note And treat it with an antidote. Flex your willpower hard and free And make yourself act rationally.