LIBRARY - Reference(s)

Man’s Supreme Inheritance (Mouritz 2023 edition)

Submitted by Jean Fischer on Thu, 02/11/2023 - 13:14
Subtitle: 
Conscious Guidance and Control in Relation to Human Evolution in Civilization
By: 
F. Matthias Alexander. Edited by Jean M. O. Fischer.
Material type: 
Books, non-fiction, single author
AT Focus: 
Alexander Technique
2023
November
5
Format: 
Paperback
Size: 
130 x 198 mm.
Language: 
English
ISBN/ISSN/DOI: 
ISBN-13: 978-3903416116.
Publisher: 
Mouritz (Austria)
Mouritz Bibliography
Topic area: 
Man's Supreme Inheritance
Cover image: 
Later edition flag: 
An earlier edition of this exists
Biblio ID: 
ALE023PE1
Base ID: 
ale918he1
Mouritz description: 

The white-cover paperback books of Alexander's books contain the essential texts: they are almost identical to the last editions Alexander was responsible for in 1945–46: the complete text of the books with the forewords and introductions published at the time (for example containing Dewey’s or Coghill’s introductions, and Alexander’s forewords and Alexander’s new forewords). In the case of Articles and Lectures it only contains Alexander’s writings (and hence no editorial commentary, contextualising or notes). The difference between the cream-coloured cover editions and the white-coloured cover editions of Alexander’s books is that the white paperbacks do not contain: Walter Carrington’s and editor’s forewords; notes on the text; endnotes; appendices or any photographs added since the 1945–46 editions.

The new white editions (published October-November 2023) contain an index (unlike the old white editions). A few typographical errors have been corrected in all four books.

Publisher Description: 

Man’s Supreme Inheritance was Alexander’s first book: it was first published in 1910 and an enlarged edition was published in 1918.

Our ‘supreme inheritance’ is our potential to develop conscious use of ourselves in all activities of living. With reference to and examples from his experience of teaching the Technique, Alexander argues for the development and evolution of consciousness, in keeping with the increased pace of civilization. He exposes the dangers of the subconscious approach in suggested remedies like faith-healing, ‘concentration’ and physical exercises. Though some of the contemporary concerns which he addresses may appear dated, the underlying issues are still the same: our health and well-being are being undermined by too much tension, unconscious attitudes, and lack of physical and mental coordination.

Alexander’s practical technique unifies mind and body in activity, thereby avoiding the unnecessary fatigue and pain which result from the internal strife between the ‘physical’ and the ‘mental’. He shows how his technique transcends the curative, is not merely a treatment, and how, by establishing prevention as a principle of life, a whole new way of living becomes available to us.

Share links