Abstract
This article investigates whether different religious (mythological) worldviews can be described as alternative and altered states of consciousness (ASCs). Differences between conscious and unconscious motivations for behaviour are discussed before looking at ASCs, Weltanschauung and symbolic universes. Mythology can be described both as Weltanschauung and symbolic universe, functioning on all levels of consciousness. Different Weltanschauungen constitute alternative states of consciousness. Compared to secular worldviews, religious worldviews may be described as ASCs. Thanks to our globalised modern societies, the issue is even more complex, as alternate modernities lead to a symbolic multiverse, with individuals living in a social multiverse.Keyowrds: mythology; Weltanschauung; worldview; symbolic universe; states of consciousness; altered states of consciousness; alternative states of consciousness; symbolic multiverse; social multiverse
Highlights
Description: Dr Gert Malan is participating in the research project, ‘Socio-Cultural Readings’, directed by Prof
This paper investigates whether mythical frames of reference function as worldviews and symbolic universes, and if they can be understood as alternative and even altered states of consciousness (ASCs)
Modern societies have a shared core universe taken for granted as such, http://www.hts.org.za and different partial universes coexisting in a state of mutual accommodation (Berger & Luckmann [1967] 1975:142). This investigation was undertaken in order to investigate whether different mythologies function as worldview and symbolic universes and whether they represent alternative and ASCs
Summary
Affiliation: 1Department of New Testament Studies, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, South Africa. Dr Ernest van Eck, Department of New Testament Studies, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria. J., 2016, ‘Mythology, Weltanschauung, symbolic universe and states of consciousness’, HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies 72(1), a3243. This article investigates whether different religious (mythological) worldviews can be described as alternative and altered states of consciousness (ASCs). Differences between conscious and unconscious motivations for behaviour are discussed before looking at ASCs, Weltanschauung and symbolic universes. Mythology can be described both as Weltanschauung and symbolic universe, functioning on all levels of consciousness. Religious worldviews may be described as ASCs. Thanks to our globalised modern societies, the issue is even more complex, as alternate modernities lead to a symbolic multiverse, with individuals living in a social multiverse
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