The fallen state
Alan Mulhern
Routledge eBooks March 21, 2018 DOI: 10.4324/9780429483288-18 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the "fallen state" describes the emergence of ego consciousness, which brought limitation, division, inner emptiness, susceptibility to shame, a sense of loss, and fear of death, while also generating awareness of a divine inner element projected onto gods. Contends that the myth of a fall gained force with patriarchal religions and that Judaism was unconsciously influenced by Egyptian religion and mythology despite conscious opposition. |
Abstract
Mankind&s;s fallen state is a result of the emergence of ego consciousness for which the word "fallen" is only partially accurate. His emergence in Africa around 200,000 years ago was just the beginning of a series of steps in which ego consciousness became more extensive and better established in the psyche and freed him from a state of unawareness. The separated ego suffers from limitation, division, and an inner state of emptiness; shame is easily instilled into early consciousness; a sense of loss and a fear of death emerge. With the fall into ego consciousness mankind also becomes aware of a higher state, something divine within, which is projected into the heavens and the gods. Consciousness is with the patriarchal religions that the myth of a fallen state gathers force. Many myths and legends concern a primal battle between light and darkness. Judaism was unconsciously influenced by Egyptian religion and mythology, even as it was consciously opposed.