In a recent lecture, an Egyptian professor of international relations at the French University in Egypt emphasized that psychology is not his specialty, urging his audience to approach his words with a mix of constructive spirit and skepticism. He teaches the history of the relationship between religion and politics across the ages, noting that religions differ and each human gathering had its own religion, with politics emerging much later.
The professor highlighted that humanity has known various types of religions, including those where magic plays a pivotal role, others based on myths that carry lessons and stories summarizing the history of the universe and humanity, and those that appeared in what philosophers call the axial ages. These axial ages, spanning from 1500 to 900 BC, saw the emergence of religions that adopt a discourse addressing both reason and conscience, with specific teachings and a rational general view of the relationship between the universe, humans, and God.
A significant question dominates many of the books he reads: Can a historian or philosopher in the 21st century understand humans from before the axial age or primitive humans? It's commonly known that followers of monotheistic religions find it somewhat difficult to understand each other, despite their considerable commonalities. The professor wonders how one can understand people from entirely different eras and religions.
He noted that it's not impossible to bridge this gap, citing giants who have succeeded in doing so. Reflecting on the difficulties can be beneficial. There are societies where knowledge is transmitted orally or through teaching epic songs that carry memory, lessons, and stories, while in others, this transmission occurs through studying written texts.
Primitive societies, which do not know the state or any form of judicial systems, are constantly exposed to escalating violence among their members. These societies have witnessed the emergence of mechanisms and beliefs that control violence, either by fighting others to impose solidarity, practicing gift exchange rituals, or through collective dances.
In today's world, there are people who believe in the day of reckoning and an afterlife, while others see this as nonsense. The professor questions whether the latter can understand that his believing counterpart fears meeting his Lord, and how this plays a role in his decisions, especially if the counterpart is from a completely unfamiliar religion.
The professor concluded by emphasizing the importance of understanding different cultures and psychologies, suggesting that studying anthropology and historical psychology could be beneficial. As we approach a stage of generalizing the reliance on artificial intelligence, it's crucial to consider how this will affect our conscience, skills, and teaching methods.
Key points
- The professor urges his audience to approach his words with a mix of constructive spirit and skepticism.
- Understanding humans from different eras and cultures requires effort and reflection on the difficulties.
- Studying anthropology and historical psychology could be beneficial in navigating the changes brought about by artificial intelligence.
