by Steve Taylor
Published by O Books (2005)
Description
It is not “natural” for human beings to kill each other, for
men to oppress women, for individuals and nations to accumulate massive wealth
and power, or to abuse nature. The roots of our current malaise lie in an
“ego explosion” which occurred several thousand years ago. “Primitive”,
pre-civilization men and women were largely free of our social ills and had
a more unified and harmonious state of being. This intensively-researched,
highly praised book explains the origins of our psychological and social problems
and suggests what we can do to return to a state of harmony. It overturns
the wisdom of the last few centuries and changes the way we think about the
human race’s past and future.
Review
The Fall is a major work, which attempts to throw a different light on human
social evolution. Its thesis is for a 'Golden Age' with Nirvana like harmonious
living by our forbears 6000 years ago takes some inward digestion.
Where did we go wrong and why isn’t it like that now? Taylor gives a
broad sweep using changes in climate, art from the time, and archaeological
data.
Taylor surveys global history, migrations, and influences of human groups
to put forward some very good arguments for our 'fall' into a “hell
on earth” culture of war, violence and fear.
The author’s conclusions outline a “rapid expansion of ego”
at the time resulting in war, patriarchy, and inequality. Out of this period
has come a time of spectacular technical advances, but at a price of separation
of heart and mind. Taylor thinks that we may be emerging from this murky period
into a newer more enlightened age where ego will be surpassed and the heart
and mind will be re-united.
'We will no longer be separate, and so we will no longer be afraid - afraid
of death, afraid of the world, afraid of God, afraid of our own selves, afraid
of other people. The disharmony of the human psyche will be healed, and the
insanity to which it gave rise will fade away.'
A thought provoking read, certainly not one for the coffee table!
Author:
Steve Taylor is a university and college lecturer who lives in Manchester,
England. He spent 7 years researching and writing this book. He is the author
of many articles on psychology and spirituality for mainstream magazines and
academic journals, and is the author of Out of Time: the Five Laws of Psychological
Time and how to transcend them (Pauper’s Press).
Paperback 446 pages (October 28, 2005)
Publisher: O Books
ISBN: 1905047207
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