PNEUMA-PSYCHO-SOMATIC DISEASE AND HEALTH
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To understand what it means to be fully human we need to study
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SOMATOLOGY
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As human beings we are, like all animal beings, limited by our somatological, or physical, natures, which we have inherited from our male and female ancestors. Like animals we are made of matter--genes, chromosomes, and DNA which make up the billions of cells of our physical organs and bodies as a whole. Like animals, sometimes we can get physically ill. Depending on circumstances we sometimes recover, and, sometimes we die. And always there is pain and suffering.
PSYCHOLOGY
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Similarly, like animals we are psychological, or mental, beings. This means we are capable of being mentally stressed, which can affect how we feel, somatically. Both animals and humans can become victims of what is called psychosomatic diseases.
For example, in 1904, Pavlov, the great Russian physiologist--a spiritually-minded scientist--won a Noble prize for demonstrating how dogs can be conditioned, by human trainers, to salivate at the sound of a bell with a low pitch, and wince in pain at the sound of a bell with a high pitch. Furthermore, he demonstrated that, by adding confusion to the mix--by varying the pitches of the bells--dogs can also be conditioned, or trained, to have a nervous breakdown. Yes, trainers can, later, reverse this condition.
PNEUMATOLOGY
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But keep in mind that, unlike human, or pneumatological, beings animals would never think of doing experiments on one another and give themselves, or others, psychosomatic conditions like nervous breakdowns. Neither are they capable of helping themselves recover when given such conditions by us.
We human beings, on the other hand--especially when we fail to be fully human--are quite capable of making ourselves, and others, spiritually sick with dire consequences on the mind and the body.
Because our the pneumatological part of our nature, we are capable of, consciously, and/or unconsciously, of doing this to ourselves, and to others, almost on a daily basis. Researchers tell us that 75 percent, or more, of the physical and mental pains we suffer arise because of this sickness of spirit--sometimes called a "broken Heart".
Without, in any way, denying the value of the natural sciences--the ones
having to do with understanding the nature and function the psyche and soma factors (the mind and the body) this thread is about the philosophy behind pneumatology. It is about advocating that we be as serious about the study of the spirit (pneuma) as we are about studying the soma and psyche.
Kyra, as I understand it, all the sciences began as a result of the impulse we call religion. Our ancestors were filled with awe and "fear" (serious respect, not just terror) of what they saw happening in nature.
In the curious, this gave rise to wonder--the basis of all philosophy. Every curious child is a natural philosopher. Later came the sciences, and later still came the technologies, and then the arts. I visualize that this--since the 1960's--is what is happening under name pneumatology.
BTW, it would be interesting to know: What is your faith background? If you wish, feel free to send me a PM, or email.
