Lord of the Lord of the MetaphysicalMetaphysical

MetaphysicalMetaphysical

Derived from the Derived from the

Greek Greek meta ta physikameta ta physika

("after the things of nature"); ("after the things of nature"); referring to an idea of a reality referring to an idea of a reality

outside of human sense outside of human sense

perception.perception.

Metaphysical Cont.Metaphysical Cont.

In modern terminology, In modern terminology, metaphysics refers to the metaphysics refers to the studies of what cannot be studies of what cannot be reached through objective reached through objective studies of studies of material realitymaterial reality

The Problem with MetaphysicsThe Problem with Metaphysics

The problem of validating The problem of validating metaphysical claims is most metaphysical claims is most

readily seen in all of the "proofs" readily seen in all of the "proofs" for the existence of God or the for the existence of God or the

existence of a "soul" or "spirit" or existence of a "soul" or "spirit" or nonhuman realities is seemingly nonhuman realities is seemingly

impossible. impossible.

Problems ContinuedProblems Continued

The difficulty arises out of the The difficulty arises out of the attempt to scientifically study attempt to scientifically study

and objectify something which, and objectify something which, by its very nature, cannot by its very nature, cannot become an object of our become an object of our

scientific studies scientific studies

What Do You Believe In?What Do You Believe In?

What from the metaphysical What from the metaphysical

world do you believe in?world do you believe in?

Simon As Conduit to Simon As Conduit to Metaphysical WorldMetaphysical World

In the British Museum in London there is a chapter In the British Museum in London there is a chapter from a Babylonian textbook of medicine from a Babylonian textbook of medicine

comprising 40 tablets dating as far back as comprising 40 tablets dating as far back as 2000BC. The tablet accurately records many of 2000BC. The tablet accurately records many of the different seizure types we recognize today. the different seizure types we recognize today.

It emphasizes the supernatural nature of It emphasizes the supernatural nature of epilepsy, with each seizure type associated epilepsy, with each seizure type associated

with the name of a spirit or god - usually evil.with the name of a spirit or god - usually evil. Treatment was, therefore, largely a spiritual Treatment was, therefore, largely a spiritual

matter. matter.

Epilepsy - Epilepsy - "the sacred disease""the sacred disease"

The intervening 2,000 years were dominated The intervening 2,000 years were dominated by many supernatural views.by many supernatural views.

Throughout this time people with epilepsy Throughout this time people with epilepsy were viewed with fear, suspicion and were viewed with fear, suspicion and

misunderstanding and were subjected to misunderstanding and were subjected to enormous social stigma. People with enormous social stigma. People with

epilepsy were treated as outcasts and epilepsy were treated as outcasts and punished. punished.

Simon Chap. 3Simon Chap. 3

"Then, amid the roar of bees in the afternoon "Then, amid the roar of bees in the afternoon sunlight, Simon found for the fruit they could not sunlight, Simon found for the fruit they could not reach... passed them back down to the endless, reach... passed them back down to the endless, outstretched hands."outstretched hands."-Ch. 3, pg. 56-Ch. 3, pg. 56

““He came at last….The candle-buds opened He came at last….The candle-buds opened their wide white flowers... Their scent spilled out their wide white flowers... Their scent spilled out into the air and took possession of the island."into the air and took possession of the island."-Ch.3, pg. 56-57-Ch.3, pg. 56-57

Simon Chap. 4Simon Chap. 4

““What I mean is… maybe it’s only us.”What I mean is… maybe it’s only us.”

Chp. 4, pg. 89Chp. 4, pg. 89

The Sign You Requested?The Sign You Requested?

““If only they could get a message to us”If only they could get a message to us”

chp. 5, pg 94chp. 5, pg 94

““The figure fell and crumpled…”The figure fell and crumpled…”

chp. 6, pg 95chp. 6, pg 95

Simon Chapter 7 Simon Chapter 7

"'You'll get back to where you came from.'""'You'll get back to where you came from.'"- William Golding, - William Golding, Lord of the FliesLord of the Flies, Ch. 7 , Ch. 7

pg. 111pg. 111

Simon Chapter 8Simon Chapter 8

““Simon Stayed where he was…began to Simon Stayed where he was…began to beat on the brain.” pg. 137-138beat on the brain.” pg. 137-138

““You are a silly….and lost consciousness”You are a silly….and lost consciousness”

pg. 143-144pg. 143-144

SimonSimon

““The beast was harmless….as soon as The beast was harmless….as soon as possible.” pg.147possible.” pg.147

““Toward midnight the rain…the open sea.”Toward midnight the rain…the open sea.”

pg. 153-154pg. 153-154

Simon ImagerySimon Imagery

"The water rose farther and dressed Simon's "The water rose farther and dressed Simon's coarse hair with brightness. The line of his cheek coarse hair with brightness. The line of his cheek silvered and the turn of his shoulder became silvered and the turn of his shoulder became sculptured marble."sculptured marble."--““The body lifted a fraction of an inch from the The body lifted a fraction of an inch from the sand”sand”

"surrounded by a fringe of inquisitive bright "surrounded by a fringe of inquisitive bright creatures, itself a silver shape beneath the creatures, itself a silver shape beneath the steadfast constellations, Simon's dead body steadfast constellations, Simon's dead body moved out toward the open sea."moved out toward the open sea."