To my shame, the reason I started reading psychology books was that I simply didn’t read them. Once, I was asked what books I would recommend to someone interested in psychology. I searched my mind, only to realize I hadn’t read a single “serious” book on the subject, let alone have one to recommend. Since then, I’ve made a conscious effort to explore works in the field.

What is the use of psychology?

Back when psychoanalysis was first born, figures like Freud and Jung were not exactly welcomed in academia. This was because psychology was not considered “scientific.” In other words, it is a discipline where “right” or “wrong” cannot always be proven. If Freud were to point a finger at me and claim the root of my problems lay in a deep-seated Oedipus complex, and I reacted with fury, calling it nonsense—he would simply laugh and say my anger is the best evidence. How could I possibly refute that?

However, the author of this book, Yang Laoshi, writes:

The most important “root” of a therapeutic or personality theory lies in whether it can, and does, heal people—whether it makes them healthier. If the answer is yes, then being scientifically verifiable is merely the icing on the cake; if it cannot be verified, it matters little. The vast world has both clear patterns and chaotic depths. Therefore, we must hold this conviction: truths proven by experience and truths proven by science possess equal value. Both are vital resources that promote our healthy growth.

Today, no one doubts the value of psychology as a “useful” discipline. It has branched into numerous fields, permeating every aspect of our lives. Furthermore, as a supplement to Yang Laoshi’s brilliant summary, I’d like to quote Professor Richard Feynman:

We must reach the clear understanding from the beginning that if a thing is not a science, it is not necessarily bad. For example, love is not a science. So, if something is said not to be a science, it does not mean there is something wrong with it; it just means it is not a science.

If someone were to ask me now for a book suitable for beginners, I would first recommend Psychology Hidden in Idioms. The book focuses on explaining psychological terminology, using a Chinese idiom in each chapter to introduce a concept before delving deeper. Moreover, it is filled with life wisdom and witty remarks that teach us the art of living.

I found the following commentary on defense mechanisms particularly enlightening:

Although defense mechanisms operate at a subconscious level, understanding them helps us bring subconscious mental activities into our conscious awareness. This not only allows us to know ourselves more deeply but also enables us to catch up with our “second reactions,” aiding both self-awareness and the rational resolution of anxiety-inducing problems.

Indeed, for me, psychology is a discipline that allows me to rediscover myself. The more I understand who I am, the better I can become.