Marina
V. Vorobjova
The
Phenomenon of Man in Babylonian Tradition
Mesopotamia,
a region in south west Asia and the site of several ancient
civilazations, was where one found the state of Babylon.
Written monuments from this location date back to between 4-5000
years B.C. Climatic conditions in Babylonia yielded an
economic development of the region that gave rise in the first
instance to the development of science.
The
phenomenon of the individual person in Babylonian tradition
is one whereby the religiousness of the individual was distinguished
by its multiple god faith which drew upon a large number of
gods.
Divine
power was combined with natural power and, as a result,
rendered a direct influenec upon the life of the individual.
The nature of the relationship between nature and the individual
yielded the relationship between the gods and the individual.
With
contary thoughts discouraged, the individual became wholly
dependant upon the the gods. Life was said to be capable
of prediction from birth ; so that any sign upon the body of
the individual could be interpretated. Herein lies the origins
of the practical 'magic' of an individual, his different
formula of 'magic' , inherent within Babylonians.
Thereby,
one can speak of the 'making of man' by the way of service to
the gods. The individual was seen as simply a facility
for interpretation. Furthermore, an attitude was developed
towards medicine in Babylonian tradition, whereby the
additional use of public facilities whose main function was
viewed as being concerned with the formula which carried the
individual's 'magic' nature formula. The further
tradition concerning the study of symptoms and treatment of
diseases went parallel with the first though in time was seen
as secondary to the former philosophy.
The
view of the individual's 'magic' formual,
it may be said, can not exist for a lengthy time on an
equal footing with other schools of thought. Such schools of
thought will inevitably popularise themselves as religious,
philosophical and scienitific, else it would
be forced into retreat. Departing from the primary tradition
in Babylon of 'magic' consciousness which subsitutes a
'make up of man' in all regards, led to the individual
turning aside predeterminations by the gods and denied him the
right to hold doubt.
Translated
by Richard Bishop
GOD.
PERSON. WORLD: Annual Scientific Conference,
Russian Christian Institute
for the Humanities (Saint- Petersburg,
1999): 28-30.