Cultural Structures

Defining cultural structures as psychic organizations with semic essence, comprised of symbolic Principles and Relationships.

The Hyperborean Wisdom presents a unique perspective on the nature of cultural structures, defining them as psychic organisations possessing a "semic essence" and comprised of interconnected symbolic principles and relationships. This understanding sheds light on how individuals perceive and interact with the world around them.

Semic Essence of Cultural Structures

The term "semic" refers to the inherent symbolic and polysemic nature of all psychic phenomena. Psychic contents are not mere aggregates but are essentially symbolic, representing multiple layers of meaning. Therefore, cultural structures, as psychic organisations, are also inherently symbolic and polysemic. They act as frameworks for interpreting and understanding the world through a complex web of symbolic associations and meanings.

Principles as Nodes

The building blocks of cultural structures are "Principles," which act as nodes within the structure. These Principles are symbolic representations of the Archetypes, the primordial forms residing in the archetypal memory (brain). When reason interacts with the world, it locates corresponding Archetypes in the archetypal memory. This act of intentional reference leads to the actualization of the Archetype within the cultural structure as a Principle, forming a node.

Principles, as simple symbols, represent fundamental concepts and categories that shape an individual's understanding. They are a priori to reasoning and act as determinants of understanding. For example, the concept of "one" is a Principle that arises from the actualization of the corresponding Archetype in the archetypal memory.

Relationships as Bonds

Connecting these Principles are "Relationships," which act as bonds within the cultural structure. These Relationships are complex symbols, representing the individual's interpretation of the design or schema of an entity. They are formed through the operation of reason, which establishes connections between different Principles, drawing on the Archetypes necessary to create a coherent schema of the entity.

Relationships represent the "truth" of the entities for the Paśu, as they provide a rational interpretation of their design and functioning. They are dynamic and experiential, constantly being created and modified through interaction with the world. Unlike Principles, which are static and passively received from the archetypal memory, Relationships are actively constructed by reason, making them the substance of all rational thought.

Growth and Function of Cultural Structures

Cultural structures are not static entities but grow throughout life, constantly integrating new nodes (Principles) and bonds (Relationships). As the individual encounters new entities and experiences, reason produces new elements and integrates them into the cultural structure, expanding its complexity.

This continuous growth and development makes the cultural structure a form of experiential memory, distinct from the passive and static archetypal memory of the brain. The Hyperborean Wisdom refers to the cultural structure as "conceptual memory", as it stores the relationships between concepts and principles, representing the individual's understanding of the world.

Significance of Cultural Structures

Cultural structures play a crucial role in shaping an individual's perception, thought processes, and interaction with the world. They provide a framework for understanding entities, forming a lens through which experiences are interpreted. The Principles provide fundamental categories and concepts, while the Relationships create meaningful connections and interpretations.

This symbolic and interconnected nature of cultural structures highlights the importance of understanding their underlying principles and relationships to gain deeper insights into human behaviour and cultural phenomena. By recognising the semic essence of cultural structures, individuals can navigate the complex web of meanings and symbols that shape their reality.