The Improvement of the Mind: A Supplement to the Art of Logic

Isaac Watts (1674–1748) was an English nonconformist minister, song writer, theologian, and logician. First published in 1741, The Improvement of the Mind is a follow-up to Watts's earlier work on Logic. The Improvement of the Mind could be considered one of the earliest examples of a self-help guide (though it is help from Watts's distinctive Christian view). In Watts's day, to "improve" something did not merely mean to make something better; it meant to make the most of something. He recognizes that not everyone has the same opportunities, but everyone should be concerned with maximizing their intellectual abilities. This timeless guide contains chapters on discussing, reading, writing, listening to lectures, and virtually every activity where we rely upon our minds. What could be more important to reclaim in our modern world with all of its mental derangements?