Episode:Civilization—Primitive Institutions (Part 3)

From Symmetry of Soul


Though capital has tended to liberate man, it has greatly complicated his social and industrial organization. The abuse of capital by unfair capitalists does not destroy the fact that it is the basis of modern industrial society. Through capital and invention the present generation enjoys a higher degree of freedom than any that ever preceded it on earth.

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Keywords: Urantia, Hoarding, Banking, Wealth, Capital

Summary by Kermit

Commentary on Review

Contrary to the conventional wisdom of those with a bias towards unity consciousness, the great civilizer of mankind has been commonplace commerce, linked with the lure of adventure. The simple factual issues and transactions of the material realm serve as a foundation for the more refined and sophisticated interrelationships of modern civilization.

A caller requested some elaboration on the point made often on SoS broadcasts that zealous spiritual consciousness is central to the planetary emergency resulting in the gift of the 5th ER. Unity consciousness is not a problem in and of itself. Difficulties arise when this unity consciousness is exalted as the singular solution to current day mankind’s manifold challenges, rather than harmonized and balanced with the individuality and associative perspectives and encompassed in personal action. We discussed how the blurring of the distinctions between the two substances matter and spirit gives rise to confusion and outcomes that completely opposite to those desired.

In response to another caller, we attempted to explain how it is that because of our connection by grace with spirit, we apply words with spirit meaning to material issues and find ourselves in confusion and uncertainty. Because of the invisibility of spirit, we must cultivate insight to be able to recognize that which cannot be seen.

69:5. The Beginnings of Capital

The idea of capital heralds the transition from animal consciousness to human consciousness. The element of foresight is herein crucial. It is personality that enables man to have foresight. Capital and savings represent man’s acquirement of an orientation towards the future, entirely missing in his animal cousins.

Our author cited the early banker, the village keeper of the valuables of the tribe, whose hut was defended by the whole tribe in event of attack, to illustrate how the accumulation of individual capital and group wealth led to military organization, initially for defensive purposes and then for gain.

In our discussion of the words “value”, “worth” and “wealth”, we examined further examples and consequences of blurring the distinctions between matter and spirit, and the further discernment between that which IS value, and that which HAS value.

In something of a sidebar, another caller sparked a discussion about dangers to our environment and the urgency associated with the calls to exercise our responsibilities as universe citizens to care for our planetary home. As students of the 5th ER, we should have the peace of mind knowing that the Most Highs rule in the kingdoms of men. True, we are expected to be good stewards of our home but the welfare of our world does not rest solely in our hands. Can we not trust, as the human race transitions towards light and life that the stresses we bring to bear on our environment will not be allowed by our mostly unseen benefactors to exceed critical limits. Wisdom, not panic is needed to solve our material issues, and we recall that wisdom is only learned by experiencing tribulation. Check out the archive more of the content and finer points of this discussion.

The remainder of the section was given to an enumeration eight basic urges of man which led to the accumulation of capital. Each item is illustrated by descriptions of early man’s steps and missteps in the forward march towards civilization.

As in the previous section on trade and commerce, the final paragraph of this section is our takeaway point regarding capital.

Though capital has tended to liberate man, it has greatly complicated his social and industrial organization. The abuse of capital by unfair capitalists does not destroy the fact that it is the basis of modern industrial society. Through capital and invention the present generation enjoys a higher degree of freedom than any that ever preceded it on earth. This is placed on record as a fact and not in justification of the many misuses of capital by thoughtless and selfish custodians.