The Mask of Agamemnon
4,700 words
Part 3 of 4 (Part 2 here, Part 4 here)
Rituals in simple mythic cultures
According to Bellah, humans express their highest values and cultural practices in those activities we define as “play” and “ritual,” because these activities are performed when humans are in a “relaxed” state away from evolutionary pressures. Read more …
The European Idea of Progress Supersedes the Axial Age, Part IV
Georg Friedrich Kersting, Faust in his Study
5,530 words
Part 4 of 4 (Part 3 here)
Definition of “Axial thought”
The Axial Age idea is the most concerted effort to retain aspects of the idea of progress while disallowing Western civilization from claiming to be the most progressive in the sciences, technology, cultural creativity, and forms of state organization. This idea has historical merits. Read more …