My Life Story

My Life Story: Physical and Metaphysical uses an autobiographical framework to present the intellectual and spiritual development of Dr. Richey Novak, a lifelong searcher and questioner. Born and raised in Texas, he grows up during World War II, travels around the world in the US Navy, becomes educated with help of the GI Bill, studies philosophy and foreign cultures, and spends his life in academia. Outgrowing the rigid puritanical version of Christianity of his youth, he develops his own view of reality based on science and a pragmatic approach to life. Through four decades of teaching in the US, Germany, Iran, and Brazil, he learns that people everywhere struggle with similar problems and share the same need for meaning and purpose in life. We all seek answers and solutions more relevant to the complex modern world than the traditional religious interpretations offer. He sees a new worldview rapidly emerging worldwide, fueled by intense global trade and massive international travel. Incorporating the best aspects of religious ethics while avoiding the provincial dogmas and limitations of most religions, this new view of secular humanism offers mankind''''s best and most realistic hope for the future. Dr. Novak presents his views on life, religion, sex, family, education, etc. in the hope that they may be of help to other seekers and searchers struggling with these universal questions and concerns.