…the Romans and Etrusceans for their benefit
cut up the sky
by means of strong mathematical lines
and banned a god as it were
into a templum,
into a space limited in this fashion,
so every nation has above its head
such a sky of ideas
divided up mathematically,
and it understands the demand for truth
to mean that every conceptual god
is to be looked for in its own sphere.

One may here admire man,
who succeeded in piling up
an infinitely complex dome of ideas
on a movable foundation
and as it were on running water,
as a powerful genius of architecture.

Of course in order to obtain hold
on such a foundation
it must be as an edifice
piled up on cobwebs, so fragile,
as to be carried away
by the waves;
so firm, as not
to be blown asunder
by every wind.

On Truth And Falsity In Their UltraMoral Sense by Friedrich Nietzsche, p. 143 trans. by Oscar Levy

Several days ago our Amateur Philosophy Group convened to discuss the topic of dreams. We scarcely touched upon the difficult topic. In antiquity dreams were regarded as visitations by a spirit, by divine influence. Our ancestor Romans thought that dreams were symbolic, indirect references to larger themes, movements which are submerged beneath the details of “getting through the day.” Like the Romans, we’d like an interpretation from someone adept at such matters. In our day, our therapist/counselor is usually called upon to assist us to understand our dream-vision. A therapist once mentioned to me that dreams are always about the dreamer.

I do not dream often, but I had a dream the morning after our gathering to discuss dreams. Indeed the image arising from our subconscious is as if a god has escaped, eluded placement in its temple and has brought a message personally for you or I.

Civilization means every concept-god has an assigned place.  And you learn where each is found. The sky is divided, as it were, into zones, into conventions, into pigeonholes. Every god is restricted to its own temple. Routinization amounts to imposition of ideas, categories of mind, of language. Over a few generations this can result in a truly impressive accomplishment. Rome was established on seven hills, the empire encompassed the Mediterranean basin, spanning three continents, and most of Europe.  The empire lasted around one thousand years.

I think of the Maya. How impressive is Chichén Itzá in the Yucatán, Mexico? Also the Mongols, and perhaps others so ancient that we will never name them.

Civilization is a reflex, the human imposition of order upon experience, a division of the dome of sky, as if were a cake belonging to us for the cutting.  Civilization is impressive, manifestly durable, spanning generation to generation, edifices of sandstone, concrete, steel and glass.  Should we not include the institutional edifices such as Harvard and Yale and Duke?  The world spanning edifice of finance too: J.P. Morgan Chase Bank and Wall Street.

Every god has been sequestered in its temple, we’d like to assume.  Everything’s under control.

Still, the dreams come.

The foundations move.

Under us, – just running water.

Is there time left for a song?  Certainly there’s always time for music.  This anthem by Bon Jovi will see us through today:  Livin’ On A Prayer by Jon Bon Jovi.

Livin’ On A Prayer

By Bon Jovi

Once upon a time not so long ago

Tommy used to work on the docks
Union’s been on strike
He’s down on his luck
It’s tough, so tough

Gina works the diner all day
Working for her man
She brings home her pay
For love, for love

She says, “We’ve gotta hold on to what we’ve got
It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not
We’ve got each other and that’s a lot
For love we’ll give it a shot.”

Whoa, we’re half-way there
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand, we’ll make it. I swear
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer

Tommy’s got his six string in hock
Now he’s holding in
What he used to make it talk
So tough, it’s tough

Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night
Tommy whispers
“Baby, it’s okay, someday

We’ve gotta hold on to what we’ve got
It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not
We’ve got each other and that’s a lot
For love we’ll give it a shot

Whoa, we’re half-way there
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand and we’ll make it. I swear
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer

Livin’ on a prayer

We’ve gotta hold on ready or not
You live for the fight when it’s all that you’ve got

Whoa, we’re half-way there
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand and we’ll make it, I swear
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer

Whoa, we’re half-way there
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand and we’ll make it, I swear
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer