Alteration of Consciousness in Ancient Greece
Title | Alteration of Consciousness in Ancient Greece |
Publication Type | Book |
Year of Publication | 2018 |
Authors | Ustinova, Y |
Ancient Authors | Plato Phil. (TLG 0059), Aristoteles et Corpus Aristotelicum Phil. (TLG 0086) |
Number of Pages | xvi + 395 pp. |
Publisher | Routledge |
City | London; New York |
ISBN | 9781138298118 |
Abstract | ‘Our greatest blessings come to us by way of mania, provided it is given us by divine gift,’ – says Socrates in Plato’s Phaedrus. Certain forms of alteration of consciousness, considered to be inspired by supernatural forces, were actively sought in ancient Greece. Divine mania comprises a fascinating array of diverse experiences: numerous initiates underwent some kind of alteration of consciousness during mystery rites; sacred officials and inquirers attained revelations in major oracular centres; possession states were actively sought; finally, some thinkers, such as Pythagoras and Socrates, probably practiced manipulation of consciousness. These experiences, which could be voluntary or involuntary, intense or mild, were interpreted as an invasive divine power within one’s mind, or illumination granted by a super-human being. Greece was unique in its attitude to alteration of consciousness. From the perspective of individual and public freedom, the prominent position of the divine mania in Greek society reflects its acceptance of the inborn human proclivity to experience alteration of consciousness, interpreted in positive terms as god-sent. These mental states were treated with cautious respect, and in contrast to the majority of complex societies, ancient and modern, were never suppressed or pushed to the cultural and social periphery. [https://www.routledge.com/Divine-Mania-Alteration-of-Consciousness-in-Ancient-Greece/Ustinova/p/book/9781138298118] |
Review(s) | BMCR 2018.10.19 Sabine Neumann |
Table of Contents | Introduction 1. Prophetic mania 2. Telestic mania and near-death experiences 3. Bakcheia 4. Mania on the battlefield and on the march 5. Nympholepsy 6. Poetic mania 7. Erotic mania 8. The philosopher’s mania and his path to truth Epilogue. Perspectives on the divine mania |
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