Coming to Our Senses
76
Coming to Our Senses
Morris Berman's "Coming to Our Senses" offers a bracing, if occasionally relentless, diagnosis of Western civilization's ills. Its strength lies in the sweeping scope of its historical and philosophical critique, linking the Enlightenment's rationalism to a profound contemporary alienation. Berman's argument that we have become "sensory deprived" is particularly potent when he discusses the ways modern life insulates us from direct experience. However, the book sometimes feels overly deterministic, presenting a stark dichotomy between the "problem" and its proposed solution without fully exploring the nuances of lived experience within its described framework. The extended analysis of how the "sensory deprivation" impacts everything from architecture to science, while insightful, can become dense. Ultimately, Berman provides a powerful, albeit challenging, framework for understanding modern malaise.
📝 Description
76
Morris Berman's 1989 book critiques Western civilization's detachment from nature and embodied experience.
Morris Berman's "Coming to Our Senses," published in 1989, offers a critique of Western civilization's alienation from the natural world and its own sensory experience. Berman argues that a significant disconnect has developed, leading to societal and psychological fragmentation. He traces this separation not to recent times, but to historical roots, intensified by the Enlightenment's focus on pure reason at the expense of sensory engagement.
This analysis is directed at readers who question the underpinnings of modern Western thought and culture. It will resonate with those interested in consciousness philosophy, the history of ideas, and ecological thinking. Individuals seeking to comprehend the origins of widespread feelings of alienation and meaninglessness in contemporary life will find Berman's examination valuable. The work is especially pertinent for students and scholars of cultural criticism, psychology, and environmental studies.
The book appeared in the late 1980s, a time of growing environmental awareness and a perceived spiritual void in Western societies. The late 20th century saw increased interest in ecopsychology and critiques of human-centered worldviews. Berman's contribution engaged with intellectual trends influenced by thinkers like Michel Foucault and Jacques Derrida, but he provided a more humanistic and embodied perspective.
While not strictly occult, Berman's work engages with a tradition that critiques the materialist and rationalist frameworks dominant in Western thought. It aligns with Gnostic impulses that see current societal structures as a form of alienation from a more authentic, perhaps even spiritual, state of being connected to the world. His focus on sensory experience as a path to reintegration echoes certain hermetic and vitalist philosophies that emphasize direct perception and a holistic understanding of existence over abstract intellectualism. The book can be seen as a modern philosophical exploration of a "fall" from a state of natural attunement.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Understand the historical roots of Western alienation by examining the impact of the Enlightenment, as detailed in Berman's critique of rationalism's dominance over embodied experience. • Explore the concept of "sensory deprivation" as a cultural force, learning how modern life disconnects us from nature and our own bodies, a core theme of the 1989 publication. • Gain a new perspective on societal fragmentation and personal anxiety by considering Berman's argument for a "re-sensation" of the world, offering a path toward greater wholeness.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main argument of Morris Berman's 'Coming to Our Senses'?
The book argues that Western civilization suffers from a fundamental alienation from the natural world and embodied experience, a condition Berman terms 'sensory deprivation,' stemming from historical developments like the Enlightenment.
When was 'Coming to Our Senses' first published?
'Coming to Our Senses' was first published in 1989, reflecting late 20th-century concerns about cultural fragmentation and environmental disconnection.
Who are some thinkers Morris Berman engages with or critiques?
While not always explicitly named, Berman's work engages with the legacy of Enlightenment thinkers and critiques tendencies in modern science and philosophy that emphasize pure reason over embodied experience, a counterpoint to figures like Descartes.
What does Berman mean by 'sensory deprivation'?
Berman uses 'sensory deprivation' to describe a cultural condition where modern Western societies have become disconnected from direct, embodied sensory experience of the world, leading to psychological and societal fragmentation.
Does Berman offer solutions to the problems he identifies?
Yes, Berman proposes a 're-sensation' of the world, advocating for a return to embodied awareness and a reconnection with nature as pathways to healing and overcoming alienation.
What is the historical context of the book's publication?
Published in 1989, the book emerged during a time of growing environmental awareness and critiques of Western modernity, interacting with post-modern intellectual currents but offering a more embodied perspective.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
The Human Problem of Alienation
Berman identifies a core 'human problem' rooted in Western civilization's systematic alienation from the physical body, the natural world, and authentic, embodied experience. This disconnect is not accidental but a historical development, intensified by the Enlightenment's valorization of abstract reason over sensory input. The work traces how this fundamental separation leads to widespread psychological distress, societal fragmentation, and an inability to connect meaningfully with reality, framing it as a pervasive cultural illness.
Sensory Deprivation Culture
A central concept is 'sensory deprivation,' referring to how modern Western life, through its emphasis on technology, abstract thought, and mediated experiences, systematically reduces our direct engagement with the world. Berman argues that this isn't about a lack of stimulation but a lack of *authentic* sensory engagement, leading to a dulled capacity for feeling and perception. This cultural condition is presented as a primary driver of the 'human problem,' impacting everything from our understanding of science to our personal relationships.
Re-sensation and Embodied Wholeness
As a counterpoint to alienation, Berman proposes a process of 're-sensation' – a conscious effort to reclaim and re-engage our embodied senses. This involves moving beyond purely intellectual understanding to a felt, lived experience of the world. The book advocates for a holistic approach that reintegrates the mind, body, and nature, suggesting that this reconnection is essential for individual healing and the potential transformation of Western culture. It's a call to awaken our dormant sensory capacities.
Critique of Enlightenment Rationalism
The Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and objectivity is presented as a critical juncture in the development of Western alienation. Berman critiques the tendency to privilege abstract thought and empirical data over subjective, embodied experience, arguing that this dualistic split created a framework where the physical and the felt were devalued. This intellectual lineage, he contends, has paved the way for the pervasive 'sensory deprivation' that characterizes modern life, leading to a profound disconnect from self and environment.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“The human problem is the problem of alienation.”
— This concise statement captures the book's central thesis, identifying alienation not just as a symptom but as the core issue plaguing individuals and Western society as a whole.
“We have become a sensory deprived species.”
— This phrase highlights Berman's core concept of 'sensory deprivation,' suggesting that modern civilization actively diminishes our authentic connection to the world through mediated experiences and abstract thought.
“The body is the primary reality.”
— An interpretation of Berman's philosophy, emphasizing the book's insistence on the foundational importance of embodied experience, challenging the mind-body dualism that devalues physicality.
“Science has often sought to strip the world of its subjective qualities.”
— This interpretation points to Berman's critique of a certain scientific methodology that prioritizes objective, quantifiable data, often at the expense of the felt, qualitative aspects of reality.
💡 Key Ideas
Editorial paraphrase of the work's core concepts — not direct quotes.
A return to the senses is a return to life.
This paraphrased concept reflects Berman's proposed solution: the process of 're-sensation' as a means to overcome alienation and achieve a more authentic, vibrant existence.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
While not strictly belonging to a single esoteric lineage, Berman's work speaks to traditions emphasizing embodied wisdom and the interconnectedness of all things, such as certain strands of Hermeticism and Gnosticism that critique purely material or rationalist worldviews. It departs from strictly occult practices by focusing on a philosophical and psychological reorientation towards direct experience, rather than codified magical systems. His critique of Western dualism aligns with perennial philosophies that seek unity beyond apparent divisions.
Symbolism
The primary 'symbol' Berman engages with is the body itself, elevated from a mere biological machine to the primary locus of authentic experience and connection. Nature, in its raw, unmediated form, also functions symbolically, representing a lost wholeness and a potential source of re-sensitization. The concept of 'alienation' itself acts as a negative symbol, representing the fractured state of modern consciousness, while 're-sensation' symbolizes the path toward healing and integration.
Modern Relevance
Berman's ideas find fertile ground in contemporary discussions around ecopsychology, mindfulness, and somatic practices. Thinkers and practitioners in these fields often echo his concerns about technological detachment and the need for embodied awareness. His critique of reductionist science also speaks to ongoing debates in consciousness studies and philosophy of mind. The book's emphasis on overcoming alienation continues to be relevant for those seeking deeper meaning and connection in an increasingly fragmented world.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Students of Western philosophy and cultural criticism seeking to understand the historical underpinnings of modern alienation, particularly the impact of the Enlightenment on mind-body dualism. • Individuals interested in ecopsychology and environmental philosophy who want to explore the deep-seated disconnect between humanity and the natural world, as diagnosed by Berman. • Readers grappling with feelings of personal disconnection or existential angst, looking for a framework to understand these experiences as rooted in cultural and historical forces, rather than solely individual pathology.
📜 Historical Context
Published in 1989, Morris Berman's "Coming to Our Senses" arrived at a moment when critiques of Western modernity and environmental consciousness were gaining momentum. The late 20th century was grappling with the legacy of the Cold War, the rise of postmodern thought, and increasing awareness of ecological crises. Berman's work offered a deeply philosophical and psychological counter-narrative to prevailing trends. He engaged implicitly with figures like Michel Foucault and Jacques Derrida, whose deconstructive analyses were prominent, yet Berman grounded his critique in a more direct, embodied phenomenology, seeking to re-establish a connection to reality that he felt postmodernism, in some interpretations, had further fractured. His analysis of the Enlightenment's role in fostering a dualistic worldview, separating mind from body and humanity from nature, provided a historical anchor for his diagnosis of contemporary alienation, differentiating his approach from purely sociological or political critiques.
📔 Journal Prompts
The concept of 'sensory deprivation' in Western culture.
The body as the primary reality and its implications.
Reflecting on instances of alienation from nature.
The role of abstract thought versus embodied experience.
Exploring personal pathways toward 're-sensation'.
🗂️ Glossary
The Human Problem
Berman's term for the fundamental alienation experienced by individuals in Western civilization, characterized by a disconnect from the body, nature, and authentic experience.
Sensory Deprivation
A cultural condition described by Berman where modern life, particularly through technology and abstract thought, dulls and distorts authentic sensory engagement with the world.
Re-sensation
Berman's proposed process of consciously re-engaging and re-awakening one's embodied senses as a means to overcome alienation and achieve a more integrated, authentic existence.
Enlightenment
The historical period (roughly 17th-18th centuries) emphasizing reason, individualism, and empirical observation, which Berman critiques for its role in fostering a dualistic worldview that separates mind from body.
Embodied Experience
Direct, felt experience through the physical body, contrasted with purely intellectual or abstract understanding. Berman argues for its primacy in genuine connection to reality.
Dualism
Philosophical idea, particularly Cartesian, that posits a fundamental separation between two distinct substances, commonly mind and matter (or body). Berman critiques this for leading to alienation.
Alienation
A state of estrangement or separation from oneself, others, nature, or one's work. Berman identifies this as the core issue of modern Western existence.
🔮 Readers Also Liked
Browse all →
More Free Sacred Texts & Gnosticism Books
View all →
