Bernays/Lippmann/manufactured consent

 The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society," wrote Edward Bernays, the father of public relations, in his 1928 book Propaganda.

Bernays' words might send a chill down your spine, but they highlight the dangers of mainstream media propaganda. When the masses are manipulated, democracy suffers. The fourth estate, meant to hold power accountable, becomes a tool for the powerful to shape public opinion.

Walter Lippmann, a prominent journalist and political commentator, warned about the dangers of "manufactured consent" in his 1922 book Public Opinion. "The manufacture of consent... is capable of enormous refinements," he wrote. "The creation of consent is not a new art. It is a very old one which was supposed to have died out with the appearance of democracy."

Today, mainstream media propaganda has mastered this art. Soundbites replace substance, and clickbait headlines hijack our attention. We're fed a diet of sensationalism, while important issues are reduced to simplistic narratives or ignored altogether. The public is left confused, polarized, and powerless.

But we can break free from this cycle. We must reclaim our minds and the media. We must demand more than propaganda. As Lippmann said, "In the absence of a direct and fruitful experience, the human being... will seize upon any accessible substitute." Let's seek out the truth, and let's demand a media that informs, rather than manipulates.

The Shadow Archetype

 Carl Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who delved deep into the workings of the human mind. His theories and ideas about the human psyche have had a profound impact on the field of psychology, and one of his most significant contributions was the concept of the Shadow Archetype. According to Jung, the Shadow is an integral part of our personality that we often ignore or suppress, but it is essential for our overall growth and self-awareness.

Jung defined the Shadow as “the unknown dark side of the personality” and believed that it contains all the aspects of ourselves that we do not want to acknowledge or accept. These can be our negative thoughts, emotions, desires, and impulses, which we consider to be unacceptable or socially undesirable. The Shadow is formed from childhood experiences, societal influences, and cultural norms, and it can have both positive and negative qualities.

The Shadow plays a vital role in shaping our behavior and personality. We all possess both positive and negative traits, and if we deny the negative aspects, they tend to manifest in unhealthy and destructive ways. Jung believed that the Shadow can cause psychological disturbances if it remains unconscious. He stated, “Everyone carries a shadow, and the less it is embodied in the individual’s conscious life, the blacker and denser it is.” It is essential to acknowledge and integrate the Shadow into our conscious self to achieve a state of wholeness and balance.

One of the essential functions of the Shadow is to act as a reservoir of creativity and vitality. Jung believed that by exploring and embracing our Shadow, we can tap into its positive potential and use it for personal growth and development. He stated, “There is no light without shadow and no psychic wholeness without imperfection.” By accepting our flaws and imperfections, we can unleash our creative energy and discover our true potential.

The Shadow also plays a crucial role in our relationships with others. Jung believed that the Shadow is projected onto others, and we tend to see in them the qualities that we dislike in ourselves. Our interactions with others can bring our Shadow to the surface, causing discomfort and conflict. However, by owning our Shadow, we can develop a deeper understanding and acceptance of others, ultimately leading to healthier relationships.

Integrating the Shadow is an ongoing process that requires self-reflection and introspection. Jung believed that the Shadow cannot be eliminated but can be managed and integrated with consciousness. He stated, “The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely.” It takes courage and self-awareness to confront and accept our Shadow, but the rewards are immense – a sense of wholeness, authenticity, and inner peace.

The Shadow is an essential aspect of Jung’s analytical psychology, and its concept remains relevant in modern times. In today’s social media-driven world, where people tend to display only their positive side and hide their vulnerabilities, the Shadow’s role becomes even more critical. Jung believed that by denying the Shadow, we deny a significant part of our authentic self, and it can lead to inner turmoil and mental health issues.

In conclusion, Carl Jung’s concept of the Shadow Archetype is a profound and powerful idea that can help us understand and embrace our true self. The Shadow represents our darker impulses and unacknowledged qualities, but it also holds the key to our creativity and vitality. By acknowledging and integrating the Shadow, we can achieve psychological balance and inner wholeness. As Jung himself said, “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.”

Phillip Mainländer: A Radical Vision of Redemption and The Death of God.

                       Philipp Mainländer: 

A Radical Vision of Redemption and the Death of God.

                       +++++++++++++

Philipp Mainländer, a German philosopher and poet born as Philipp Batz in 1841, left an indelible mark on philosophical literature with his work “Die Philosophie der Erlösung” (The Philosophy of Redemption or The Philosophy of Salvation) His ideas, though controversial and often bleak, continue to captivate those who delve into the depths of existential inquiry. In this essay, we will explore Mainländer’s central concepts, focusing on his philosophy of redemption and his unique conception of God. 

The Philosophy of Redemption

Mainländer’s magnum opus, “Die Philosophie der Erlösung”, stands as a testament to his radical pessimism. According to Theodor Lessing, it represents “perhaps the most radical system of pessimism known to philosophical literature” .

Let us dissect its core tenets:

Life’s Worthlessness: 

Mainländer boldly proclaims that life is worthless. He contends that existence itself is a burden, and the pursuit of non-being surpasses any desire for continued existence. This nihilistic perspective challenges such conventional notions as value and purpose.

The Supreme Principle of Morality: 

The will, ignited by the knowledge that non-being is better than being, becomes the supreme principle of morality. In this paradoxical twist, Mainländer suggests that "embracing the void leads to ethical clarity."

God’s Self-Destruction: 

At the heart of his philosophy lies the concept of God’s self-destruction. Mainländer envisions a lonely God, jaded by existence, committing what equates to cosmic “suicide;” and from this primordial act emerges: The Universe. (A Creation condemned to both death and redemption.)

Conception of God:

Mainländer’s God diverges significantly from traditional theological constructs. Some elements which include:

Lonely God:

At the beginning of all existence, there existed a lonely God, a simple unity. This deity,
(wearied by the burden of being), sought nothingness. Thus by committing cosmic suicide, God set the stage for creation.

Universal Death and Redemption:

Through God’s self-destruction, the universe arose. However, it carried within it the seed of its own demise.
The universe, (like God) is condemned to die. Yet, paradoxically, this very death becomes the path to redemption—a return to nothingness, the ultimate release from suffering.

Reconciliation of Religion and Science: 

Mainländer claims to reconcile Buddhism, Christianity, and Atheism. His cosmology posits the universe as an emanation of God’s self-destruction, bridging the gap between faith and reason.

Conclusion:

Mainländer’s philosophy challenges us to confront the abyss, to grapple with the inherent contradictions of existence. His vision of redemption through nothingness invites us to question our assumptions about life, morality, and divinity. Whether we find solace or despair in his words, one thing remains certain: Philipp Mainländer’s legacy endures as a provocative exploration of the human condition.

(Note: Mainländer’s ideas are not for the faint of heart. They provoke discomfort and demand rigorous contemplation. As we navigate his philosophical landscape, we tread on the precipice of existence itself.)

J.Stephen.H