Collective Reality
Alpha Bootes
again the ideas I have proposed of the idea of reality being created
not only individually, but collectively as well. The horoscope defines
our definitions about reality and must be read against the backdrop of
the collectivity and their beliefs. This is a must. It therefore
behooves each astrologer to acquaint themselves with much that is
offered in the way of understanding different realities-here again I
offer current academia in reinforcement of the nature of reality.
Hopefully the readers have learned to discern that the reality that we
once thought so fixed and impermeable is rapidly being discerned as
the flexible clay that it is. These posts are offered in the spirit of
the recognition that you have the power to create the life you prefer.
The horoscope helps us understand our definitions in a more expanded
way-what we do with this awareness is reflected in our understanding
of selves, our fellow man/woman and our actions-the conviction of
belief. Physicality always reflects symbolically the beliefs of its
creator-you (us). Astrology is just one way to read this writing on
the 360 degree screen around us called reality.
"Despite the, belief by some that science provides a windowpane of
clear glass that gives an undistorted view of nature as it really is,
there is a growing awareness that the values and beliefs of the
scientists' culture can shape their own perceptions (Gergen, 1985;
Gusfield, 1976; Sampson, 1977).
The values and beliefs of any culture are subsumed under a larger
social construction called an ideology. An ideology is a set of
beliefs and values held by the members of a social group, which
explains its culture both to itself and to other groups. These beliefs
and values produce a psychological reality that promotes a particular
way of life within the culture (Giddens, 1981; Hogan & Emler, 1978;
Mannheim, 1936). Put more simply, an ideology is the theory that a
social group has about itself. Thus, just as individuals have a theory
about themselves (self-concept) that guides their behavior, so too
does a society (ideology).
Although homogeneous societies have only one ideology, societies
containing diverse subcultures contain multiple ideologies. In Canada,
for example, there is the dominant culture of the English-speaking
provinces, as well as the subcultures of French-speaking Quebec and
the Native American tribes. Although the dominant ideology within a
multicultural society will be that of the most powerful social group
(in Canada's case, it is that of the English speaking culture), the
other subcultures' views of reality will also significantly influence
social life within the society. In the United States, social
psychologist Joseph Baldwin (1986) has investigated how
African-American and European American ideologies differ. Yet despite
the influence that a subordinate group's view of reality may have on
its members, the dominant ideology of the society will ultimately
impose the greatest structure on social behavior.
Ideologies within any given society, especially the dominant ideology,
will help to provide a shape and a focus to people's perceptions of
their world. This ideology, which is internalized by individuals at a
very young age, becomes so much a part of their perspective on reality
that people think of the beliefs and values making up the ideology as
natural, universal, and unchanging. Immersed within this particular
world view, it becomes difficult for one to entertain an alternative
perspective. Employing an analogy, if you are a fish you probably do
not realize you're wet. Wet is all you know. There is no alternative
state that you could possibly consider yourself to be in. If a cat
asked you what it's like to be wet all the time, you would likely tell
your fellow fish about this strange creature who asked you an equally
strange question. It would be the very rare fish indeed who could
comprehend what the cat was asking. Perhaps a flying fish who has
briefly experienced an alternative reality could entertain the dual
realities of wet and dry. Perhaps. But most likely a cat would have to
teach the fish about the dry world view." Social Psychology, Stephen
L. Franzoi, Marquette University, 1996.
Edmond H. Wollmann P.M.A.F.A.
© 2003 Altair Publications, SAN 299-5603
Astrological Consulting http://www.astroconsulting.com/
Artworks http://www.astroconsulting.com/personal/
http://www.e-wollmann.com/Pleiadian1/
Cujo
news:23835dfd.03080...@posting.google.com:
> I have posted many times about the nature of reality.
And have been laughed at every time since you are a delusional kook.
--
You suspect incorrectly, I am the most stable person on the
planet. - Edmond Wollkook breaking Irony Meters worldwide.
Cujo - The Official Overseer of Kooks and Trolls in
alt.paranormal, alt.astrology and alt.astrology.metapsych.
Winner of the 8/2000 & 2/2003 HL&S award. Hail Petitmorte!
http://www.petitmorte.net/cujo/cujcert.jpg
Fanatic Legion # 555-PLNTY
Rank: Colonel
Motto: "ABUNDANCE!"
Jim Phillips
Pretty much everyone agrees that you're a kook, Ed, so that must
be the reality.
--
Jim Phillips, jphillip at bcpl dot net
"I'm not gonna stop workin' until people can find a job who are lookin' for
one." -- G.W. Bush, just before leaving for a one-month vacation
el...@no.spam
Jim Phillips <jphi...@bcpl.net> wrote:
>Pretty much everyone agrees that you're a kook, Ed, so that must
>be the reality.
I suspect that Eddy knows that deep down. That's why it pisses
him off so much ;)
The_Sage
>Date written: 5 Aug 2003 08:01:01 -0700
>MsgID:<23835dfd.03080...@posting.google.com>
>I have posted many times about the nature of reality. Here we find
>again the ideas I have proposed of the idea of reality being created
>not only individually, but collectively as well.
All throughout history, humans (collectivey and individually) have repeatedly
have had to humble themselves when they have discovered that reality was nothing
at all like they completely and totally and without question believed it was.
The world was collectively flat, but the collective reality was wrong. The Earth
was the center of the entire universe, but the collective reality was wrong. The
collective has proved time and time again that it cannot be trusted to tell
right from wrong or real from fantasy. Your collective reality is a collective
fantasy.
The Sage
=============================================================
My Home Page : http://members.cox.net/the.sage
A mind is a terrible thing to waste...especially on creationists.
Just say no to organized superstitions, blind faith beliefs, and
ancient books with inaccurate science, blatent contradictions,
and false prophecies
=============================================================
__Schwann__/
http://cognitionfactor.net
Sage, join the forum. if I know you're from usenet i will upgrade your
ranking immediately from traveler to philosopher
http://cognitionfactor.net/forum
Terence Mckenna has a good part in the movie, as does Ralph Metzner,
Alex Grey, Dennis Mckenna and several other cognoscenti....it's a
cyberpunk manifesto of intense peripherality...