Education is the cornerstone of progress—shaping individuals, societies, and the future.
Teachers and educators hold one of the most crucial roles in the world, with the power to make an undeniable difference.
Positive Actions: Transforming Education, Shaping a Better World is a compelling and passionate call to reimagine education—not just as the transmission of knowledge, but as a moral force capable of shaping better individuals and, in turn, a better world.
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What's the core message?
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At its heart, the book argues that many of society’s problems stem from negative human behavior, and the most effective way to improve our world is to foster positive behaviors through values-based education. Creating a more peaceful, fulfilled society requires both understanding behavior and educating people to act more positively. Educators and education policymakers hold a key role in this systemic change.
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Major themes in the book
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Here’s how the book unfolds its ideas over 20 chapters:
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Understanding behavior: From instincts and genetics to how beliefs and values, sensations, emotions, and habits shape our actions(Chapters 1–10).
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The power of education: Critiques current educational shortcomings and explores how deeply-rooted values can drive behavioral change (Chapters 11–14).
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What we believe and why: A thoughtful dive into how culture, science, and belief systems guide action (Chapters 15–18).
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Positive actions in practice: Tangible steps toward instilling values and building an education system that produces thoughtful, ethical, and caring citizens (Chapters 19–20).
Why it stands out
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Accessible yet profound: The writing avoids technical jargon, making complex ideas about psychology and education easy to digest.
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Rooted in real concern: It’s clear that this book comes from decades of reflection and dedication to bettering the world.
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Universal relevance: While aimed especially at educators and education policymakers, its message resonates with anyone interested in personal growth and collective well-being.
One quote from the introduction really captures the spirit of the book:
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“Understanding human behavior is important because it can provide us with a path to follow to make the world better by making people better.”
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Honestly speaking, the book reads like a warm, deeply human manifesto wrapped in psychological insight.
If you are like me, you would like to live in a world where there is no war, no violence, no poverty, no famine, no prejudices. A world where people are healthy and live in harmony with each other and with their environment.
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Humanity has been striving to get rid of all these unwanted social problems through millennia. Undeniably, there was great progress in this regard, but we still see much of these problems nowadays. It is much more worrisome in some societies than in others.
Though the first paragraph addresses the most severe social problems of the world, there are also others that affect most citizens in the world, in their everyday affairs, and prevent them from living a happier, more fulfilling life. Situations that might also affect you and me.
Thus, an important question asked by so many people (and probably by you) is: what can be done to solve these problems or, at least, to diminish their occurrence significantly?
In “Positive Actions”, I address these problems and their cause, and I propose an answer to that question.
Interested in knowing this answer? Click here to find out more about it.
Reader's Favourite Reviews
Valter Martins expresses his thoughts in a clear and engaging way.
Diana Lopez
Valter Martins’ Positive Actions is an outstanding and insightful read.
Asher Syed
Valter Martins presents a captivating handbook that highlights the importance of education and its role in the progression of society and humanity
Pikasho Deka
Positive Actions is a call to action for all educators, with a strong message that what we teach and model matters profoundly
Jennifer Senick
The book is inspiring, a strong motivator for change, and is highly recommended.