Rollo May “The Significance of Symbols” - Christian Callaghan

Symbols - these are unique concepts that can be found in nature or from creation amongst humans and they are used to represent an idea or concept that is taken from them.

 Rollo May argues that human beings are set apart from all other forms of life by their unique ability to use symbols. This capacity is more than just a practical tool for communication; it represents a profound feature of human existence. Symbolic behavior, according to May, is the way humans experience their sense of self in relation to the broader world. It allows individuals to transcend the immediate reality of the present moment, standing apart from it to reflect, analyze, and imagine alternatives or possibilities that go beyond their current situation. Symbols act as a bridge between thought and experience, serving as the language through which self-consciousness is expressed. They enable humans to recognize the distinction between themselves (as subjects) and the external world (as objects). This awareness forms the foundation of self-reflection and critical inquiry. For May, symbols are what make it possible for humans to engage in the uniquely human acts of questioning existence, contemplating meaning, and exploring the unknown.

Such symbols lead us to crave, sacrifice and wage war against our own people even though we have created these depictions ourselves and maybe their intended result was missed. Sufice to say that symbols have led us for years a will continue to do so under control of us which could lead us to destruction or new life.

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