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Copyright © 1997, Jay Ligda.  All rights reserved.  Published by Humans in the Universe and Jay Ligda.

Hierarchies and a Mind-Body Split

      Early writing rose out of hierarchical societies.  Large civilizations would require rules to live by.  Early writing was a laborious task, and would be limited to the elite (Wells, 1931).  These rules would then be passed down from the elite to the masses, thus setting the stage for a hierarchy.

      There is a correlation between hierarchies and a mind-body split that affects humanity and causes disease.  A mind-body split occurs when the rules of behavior, that enter primarily through the verbal/mental channels of communication, contradict the information received through the body channels of communication.  The coming together of writing, hierarchies and self-awareness is fertile soil for a mind-body split.  The rules that govern civilization were written and kept to the elite who have been trained in the skill of reading and writing.  These rules were then passed down to others through the hierarchy.  Language used from the third-person perspective will objectify the other receiving the rules and command their behavior.  If the rules contradict the individual's internal experience, it is likely that that individual will listen to the authority due to the insecurity created with self-awarenessJaynes (1976) argues that early hierarchical civilizations occurred with writing and without self-awareness.  The question arises: would a mind-body split then occur.

by Jay Ligda

(This work is a all or part of an original work first published/written for John. F. Kennedy University:  Final Integrative Project., Mar1996.)


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References

  • Jaynes, J. (1976).  The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind.  Boston, MA:  Houghton Mifflin.
  • Wells, O.  (1931).  The Outline of History. Revised ed.  New York, NY: Garden City.

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