By Glenn Chesnut, Professor Emeritus of Ancient History, Indiana University. In terms of the ancient background of the Serenity Prayer, the distinction between “the things we do not have the power to change” and “the things we do have the power to change” is a fundamental and central part of ancient Greco-Roman Stoic philosophy. In […]

By Steve K. I heard this unthinking platitude at an AA meeting recently: “you can’t think your way into right acting – you must act your way into right thinking.” A bias toward the behavioural relationship to thoughts and feelings, and a dismissal of the cognitive influence in this respect. Err…someone needs to inform scientists, philosophers, psychologists (particularly Cognitive […]

By Steve K. It’s common in the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for some members to object to others mentioning their problems with drug addiction. Quite often in meetings the ‘blue card statement’ is read out, asking members to keep their shares focused upon their problems relating to alcohol, in accordance with tradition’s three, five […]

By Steve K. Virtue, defined as a quality or trait of character considered to be morally good or desirable, is fundamental to the practice of the Twelve Step program of recovery originated by Alcoholics Anonymous. I am particularly interested in the application of Aristotle’s Virtue Theory of moral philosophy, which can be described as a […]

By Bill W.  “It is an historical fact that practically all groupings of men and women tend to become more dogmatic; their beliefs and practices harden and sometimes freeze. This is a natural and almost inevitable process. All people must, of course, rally to the call of their convictions, and we of AA are no […]

By Steve K.  It is quite often stated by members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) that the fellowship is “spiritual, not religious.” I do not think that this statement is entirely accurate and would suggest that in a broad sense it can be validly described as both. It can certainly be related to in this way […]

 By Steve K. The term “Conference-approved” relates to literature and audiovisual material that is published by AA World Services, Inc, and has been approved by Conference for this purpose. “The term has no relation to material not published by GSO. It does not imply Conference disapproval of other material about AA. A great deal of […]

By Steve K. I would describe the relationship between mental illness or disorder, and alcohol or other drug dependency, as a strong one. However, it is important not to consider them as the same condition. It is very common for people in recovery from addiction to still suffer from other mental illnesses and disorders. There […]