A pyramid symbolizes mankind's ability to ascend from Earth towards heaven and the sun, the source of illumination. Both Robert Heinlein's Future History and Poul Anderson's Technic History are pyramidal in structure. See here. Characters in both histories ascend from Earth into space but whether they also approach spiritual illumination is another matter.
In the Future History, the revolutionary Cabal is Masonic. Searching the blog for any mention of Freemasons in Poul Anderson's works, I found only a comparison of the Masons with a secret organization in another alternative history that I was comparing with Anderson's A Midsummer Tempest. See here. However, I have not read all of Anderson's works. See here. Thus, I cannot state for certain that he does not mention any particular subject. New information from blog readers is always welcome.
13 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
You asked whether characters from the "future histories" of Robert Heinlein and Poul Anderson not only "...ascend from Earth into space but whether they also approach spiritual illuminaion..."? My first question is this: what do you even mean by "spiritual illumination"? How can there be anything like spiritual illumination if you don't believe in either God or the possibility of us surviving the death of our bodies?
Unlike Heinlein, Anderson took seriously religious, theological and philosophical ideas. As we can see in works as different from each other as THE GAME OF EMPIRE, and the four HARVEST OF STARS books.
Sean
I've thought and thought, but I simply can't recall any of Anderson's stories even mentioning the Freemasons
Sean,
The symbolism of the pyramid refers to mystical illumination which need not be either theistic or hereafter-oriented.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
Noted, even if I don't understand how anyone can be "mystical" if he does not believe in God or gods. It would seem logical think an atheist, to use as clear an example as possible, would not in the least be mystical.
Sean
Sean,
Religion is response to transcendence. Theism is personification of transcendence. Thus, theism is one kind of religion. Non-theistic religious paths are Jainism, Buddhism, Taoism and Hindu Samkhya.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
Understood, I think! Altho I would prefer to say theism is based on the belief God exists. And Buddha might be puzzled at how his philosophy came to be thought a non theistic "religious" path.
Sean
Sean,
People discuss whether Buddhism is religion or philosophy. Many practitioners say it is both. It is a response to transcendence and a way to liberation/emancipation/salvation and can coexist with a belief in gods, spirits etc.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
The problem, for me, is that Buddha himself seemed to have had little interest in questions about God or "gods," that his thought was more philosophical than religious. Which still makes me puzzled over how some treat Buddhism like a religion. I can only accept that some people DO treat Buddhism like that, even if I think it is not strictly correct to do so.
Sean
Sean,
Because we regard religion as response to transcendence and personification of transcendence as one response.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
And that's because I think and believe a "response to transcendence" makes SENSE only if you believe God is real. If there is NOTHING after death, why should anyone care about transcendence?
Sean
Sean,
To transcend is to go beyond, not necessarily to persist. Consciousness transcends unconsciousness. Human consciousness transcends animal consciousness. Enlightenment transcends attached consciousness. Wisdom transcends delusion. All of this is of value now, not just in a hereafter.
"To see a world in a grain of sand
"And heaven in a wild flower,
"Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
"And eternity in an hour." (Blake)
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
While I know some people think like that, I still see no real point in seeking transcendence if you also believe that some day you will simply be nothing, never knowing you existed at all, not even the memory of seeking transcendence.
Sean
Sean,
It can't be helped. I have acted wrongly and want to put that right before death, if possible, not because I fear consequences in a hereafter but only because I can perceive and experience consequences now. I hope for more years of life and to do something good in that time.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
And that is an honorable and admirable attitude!
Sean
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