Myths as Symbolic Maps of Durkheim's Social Forces and Social-Moral Order (R Reyes) Elzbieta Halas: "groups exist only on the ground of common symbolization of their members [and] create a social order" Example Mesopotamian Gods, Hammurabi's code, Ze

New Approach Myths as Symbolic Maps of Social-Moral Order focuse4d on Ancient Mesopotamian Myths As Confucius, a Chinese philosopher and spiritual leader who lived from 551 to 479 BCE, observed long ago, "Signs and symbols rule the world, not words or laws!" Elzbieta Halas states, "groups exist only on the ground of common symbolization of their members." Halas foes on to say that "The processes of symbolization…. create a social order, express meaning and control actions. Symbols are not autonomous. They constitute tools of action, indicating and dramatizing social relations" and that the myths of ancient divinity created a common symbolization – and social order. As Emile Durkheim emphasized, "The forces before which the believer bows are not simple physical energies, such as are presented to the sense and the imagination; they are social forces!" An overview of Mesopotamian gods reveals numerous examples of symbolic maps of social consciousness: Shamash, Marduk, Enki, Nabu, Inanna, Enlil, and Anu The Code of Hammurabi: In societies, Order is an Imperative Need "Hammurabi is best known for having issued the Code of Hammurabi, which he claimed to have received from Shamash, the Babylonian god of justice. Unlike earlier Sumerian law codes, such as the Code of Ur-Nammu, which had focused on compensating the victim of the crime, the Law of Hammurabi was one of the first law codes to place greater emphasis on the physical punishment of the perpetrator. It prescribed specific penalties for each crime and is among the first codes to establish the presumption of innocence. They were intended to limit what a wronged person was permitted to do in retribution. The Code of Hammurabi and the Law of Moses in the Torah contain numerous similarities." (Wikipedia) I should emphasize that – historically - spiritual-religious beliefs have been a source for morals, social order, and law – as Durkheim emphasized! 1. Shamash: The solar deity and judge of gods and men, Shamash was known as the god of justice and equity. He was a member of the Anunnaki, a special class of Mesopotamian gods. 2. Marduk: The Babylonian god of justice, compassion, healing, and magic, Marduk was also the patron god of Babylon and was sometimes considered the god of creation. 3. Enki: The Babylonian god of wisdom and fresh waters, Enki was also the god of magic and the patron of craftsmen, artisans, and exorcists. 4. Nabu: The god of wisdom and learning, Nabu was the scribe of Marduk and had the ability to make prophecies come true by writing them. 5. Inanna: Also known as Ishtar or Astarte, Inanna was the goddess of sex, war, and justice. She was also known as the Queen of Heaven and was believed to have the ability to change a person's gender. 6. Enlil: A central deity in the Mesopotamian worldview, Enlil was both creator and destroyer, with unalterable authority and control over fate. 7. Anu: The Mesopotamian god of the sky, Anu was also the King of Gods. He was sometimes attributed with the creation of humans with the assistance of his sons Enlil and/or Enki. Justice & Injustice: Symbolism from Sumeria 2375 BCE to Greece 2025 Historically, protests and revolts against injustice are innumerable. The earliest historical protest – revolt was in the city of Lagash in ancient Sumerian civilization in the fertile crescent between the Tigris and Euphrates. Urukagina overthrew the ensi Lugalanda around 2375 BCE. Urukagina reforms against corrupt ruler Lugalanda improved the lives of common people by addressing issues like the seizure of their boats, sheep, and fish stores. In recent history there have been a very large numbers of protests against injustice.