It's interesting how so much of what Weber says is anticipated by ancient myths. A lot of versions of the Greek creation story give Eros an important role. There may have been a little transformation before Eros, but he is the prime motivator for most of creation. In that sense, he transforms the universe.
He isn't linked to Death, though Sleep is Death's twin. (Death is part of nature. But in later Orphic works, Eros is portrayed with golden wings and has some connection with Night, who is variously his mother, a part of himself, his sexual partner, and/or his sister) There is a strong contrast between his golden glow and the blackness of Night, and yet, they somehow work together in creation.
The earliest portrayals of the afterlife that have come down to us are nearly all depressing, but they get better as time goes on. Options develop, sometimes based on a person's good deeds or general morality. Eventually, reincarnation broadens the possibilities, so that eventually everyone can achieve some kind of heaven. Death becomes a part of a much longer (potentially infinite) cycle rather than an end.
The dying god myths from various cultures also make death only an intermediate stage that leads to something else., not just in the human sphere, but cosmically. Most of these were, no doubt, inspired by the seasonal patterns but were later given a spiritual significance.
Of course, Weber is thinking more scientifically, but even that part is to some extent anticipated by earlier writers. William Cullen Bryant isn't exactly being scientific in his "Thanatopsis," but he, like Weber, clearly sees death as transformation rather than ending.
Wow, Bill! I loved reading every second of this, what a wealth of knowledge you have :) I'm frantically taking notes to do further research on what you have shared!
Such an interesting and thought-provoking post, thank you for sharing 🙏 I may be alone in this, but I feel deeply uncomfortable with the modern expression of ‘passed away’ instead of ‘death’ because in using it, we lose that sense of transformation and new life. We’re not simply putting something away to be retrieved at some indeterminate point in the future.
Hi David! Yes, I see what you mean...that's why I love works and writing that explores death as this continuation or transformation. That's why I love the Buddhist belief in the continuation of the body, which Weber explores in his work.
It's interesting how so much of what Weber says is anticipated by ancient myths. A lot of versions of the Greek creation story give Eros an important role. There may have been a little transformation before Eros, but he is the prime motivator for most of creation. In that sense, he transforms the universe.
He isn't linked to Death, though Sleep is Death's twin. (Death is part of nature. But in later Orphic works, Eros is portrayed with golden wings and has some connection with Night, who is variously his mother, a part of himself, his sexual partner, and/or his sister) There is a strong contrast between his golden glow and the blackness of Night, and yet, they somehow work together in creation.
The earliest portrayals of the afterlife that have come down to us are nearly all depressing, but they get better as time goes on. Options develop, sometimes based on a person's good deeds or general morality. Eventually, reincarnation broadens the possibilities, so that eventually everyone can achieve some kind of heaven. Death becomes a part of a much longer (potentially infinite) cycle rather than an end.
The dying god myths from various cultures also make death only an intermediate stage that leads to something else., not just in the human sphere, but cosmically. Most of these were, no doubt, inspired by the seasonal patterns but were later given a spiritual significance.
Of course, Weber is thinking more scientifically, but even that part is to some extent anticipated by earlier writers. William Cullen Bryant isn't exactly being scientific in his "Thanatopsis," but he, like Weber, clearly sees death as transformation rather than ending.
Wow, Bill! I loved reading every second of this, what a wealth of knowledge you have :) I'm frantically taking notes to do further research on what you have shared!
I'm glad you found the material useful. I guess I have picked up a few things over the years.
Such an interesting and thought-provoking post, thank you for sharing 🙏 I may be alone in this, but I feel deeply uncomfortable with the modern expression of ‘passed away’ instead of ‘death’ because in using it, we lose that sense of transformation and new life. We’re not simply putting something away to be retrieved at some indeterminate point in the future.
Hi David! Yes, I see what you mean...that's why I love works and writing that explores death as this continuation or transformation. That's why I love the Buddhist belief in the continuation of the body, which Weber explores in his work.
Love this!! That quote about death being an overflowing from the cup of life is incredible
Thank you :)