Alteration of consciousness in Ancient Greece: divine mania.
History of Psychiatry September 2020 DOI: 10.1177/0957154x20909306 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Alteration of consciousness Ecstatic experience Madness Mania Possession |
| Key points | Argues that ancient Greece accepted altered states of consciousness as god-sent and treated them with cautious respect, never suppressing or marginalizing them, in contrast to many other complex societies. These states appeared in mystery rites, oracular centers, possession, and philosophical practice. |
Abstract
Ancient Greece was unique in its attitude to alteration of consciousness. Various altered states of consciousness were commonly known: initiates experienced them during mystery rites; sacred officials and enquirers attained them in the major oracular centres; possession by various deities was recognized; and some sages and philosophers practised manipulation of consciousness. From the perspective of individual and public freedom, the prominent position of mania in Greek society reflects its openness and acceptance of the inborn human proclivity to experience alterations of consciousness, which were interpreted in positive terms as god-sent. These mental states were treated with cautious respect, but never suppressed or pushed to the cultural and social periphery, in contrast to many other complex societies, ancient and modern.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Reflections on Inner and Outer Silence and Consciousness Without Contents According to the Sphere Model of Consciousness Frontiers in Psychology August 12, 2020
- Immersion, Absorption, and Spiritual Experience: Some Preliminary Findings. Frontiers in Psychology 2020
- Silence between words: Is solitude important for relatedness? Progress in Brain Research 2024
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