A TIMELY TOPIC, FEBRUARY 18, 2008:
EGOCENTRISM IS OUTMODED
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Jean Piaget posited the development in children from egocentrism, in which one perceives, understands, and interprets the world around him in terms of his own perspective, to the ability to view things from another’s perspective. We can apply this same concept to any facet of society or to society at large. As individuals or as groups, we have limited knowledge and a limited ability to perceive.
To illustrate, the ancient astronomer Ptolemy (83-161 CE), developed in his work, the Algemest, a geocentric model of the universe, placing the earth at the center and the full complement of celestial bodies revolving around. History informs us that this reflected a political, religious and scientific bias, a kind of macro-egocentism if you will. Although there were a few primitive attempts disputing this model, it is astounding to realize that it stood for nearly 1,500 years before Nicolaus Copernicus in the sixteenth century formalized the concept of heliocentrism in which the earth rotates, and the sun is postulated as the center of the universe. Then in more recent centuries, it gradually became obvious that our sun is only one among many stars, and that stars are organized into galaxies, such as our Milky Way.
To Jesus, the Father was the source of all intelligence. He said, “The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do, for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” Jesus actually saw as the Father sees; he knew what God knows.
Mankind is outgrowing an embryonic, ego-centered mind-set and in humility importuning the Father, the Mind at the center of an infinite, spiritual universe. In this week’s Bible Lesson on “Mind,” read in Christian Science churches the world over, Mary Baker Eddy’s textbook, Science and Healh with Key to the Scriptures is referenced where she states, “Mind [or God], supreme over all its formations and governing them all, is the central sun of its own systems of ideas, the life and light of all its own vast creation; and man is tributary to divine Mind.”
Is Mind, God, reliable over and above material intelligence? The Bible testifies resoundingly in the affirmative and thousands of us have proven, through the centuries, the value of prayer, irrespective of tradition, to perceive God’s wisdom and direction, His presence and healing power. And we have this assurance from Proverbs:
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth;… All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
Dean Boesen