We discussed ideas from an essay which treated the sensation that comes when one is aware of an object in Nature, experienced as overwhelming, awe inspiring.  German theologian and philosopher Rudolf Otto in his influential 1917 German book The Idea of the Holy, coined the term Mysterium Tremendum.  We are fascinated, attracted and paradoxically repelled by a sense of danger when in proximity to something with superior force that overmasters us.

We shared adventure stories where Nature tapped us on the shoulder and reminded us of our mortality.  Usually a feeling of Mysterium Tremendum surprises us by a scene that is not in fact threatening to our well-being.  I remember hiking in the Cascades, along the Colombia River Gorge in Oregon a few years ago.  The complete silence and the majesty of being surrounded by ancient trees on the trail moved me more than once.  The thought did occur to me at the time, that if I should have an accident, given the lack of a cell phone signal, I would have a very long wait before help would arrive. 

Others in our philosophy discussion group told stories of depending upon instinct — to traverse a situation of “life or death” jeopardy.  One story came from the shore of Lake Superior.   Another story came from piloting a motorcycle at high speed deep into a curve at Road America. 

Nature is indeed sublime, awe inspiring and paradoxically deadly.  Which of Nature’s faces is presented depends upon circumstance.

The author of our springboard essay referenced both of these divergent sensations pointed to the work of Immanuel Kant and Arthur Schopenhauer.  Statements in the essay were made that we humans transcend Nature because we are able to systematize Nature and in that sense are superior to Nature.  Granted the reach of mathematics within our practice of science allows us to better make use of nature for food, shelter,  medicine, and a host of other useful products of our artifice.    Also as a neuro-linguistic fact, our minds certainly do create “reality” which we label Nature, — the mountains, oceans, forests and all of the living beings that we’ve classified and studied.  The brute fact is that apart from mind what we call Nature is just a data-storm.  And ours are not the only minds.  Not to be forgotten are dolphins, whales, foxes, etc. 

What is this picture?  My grand daughter with the help of a extended-reach stool is experiencing for the first time, an adult view of the kitchen counter.  In past months of life she has a limited toddler’s eye view of the counter from several feet above floor level.  She begins to understand that what seemed so far away, so out of reach will now afford a view of the food preparation that her parents and grand mother customarily execute on the counter top.  The axis of her world has shifted in a meaningful way.  Her world has expanded, and she with it.  Soon she will have a few words to express her frequent “Mysterium Tremendum” experiences of life.

I wonder if awe inspiring experiences are more common for children than for adults?  Can adults develop their ability to appreciate, their skill at being open — so that opportunities which are all around can be realized?  Is  it be possible that humankind is the conscience of Nature, becoming expert in appreciation, noting proportion, and apt propinquity to context, an elaborated connoisseurship?

So is there an example, a good example of expert judging faculty that I suggest?  There is.  Be my guest to view this trailer for the Great British Baking Show.

In this completely engaging Netflix show amateur bakers do their best to craft cakes, pies, etc. which are judged by an expert panel of three judges.  I suggest that along these lines humankind can develop itself. 

What do you think?