Reading: The Sacred Canopy (P. Berger): Ch. 3 The problem of Theodicy (day 4)

Berger comments on individuality in relation to theodicy: "Every nomos entails a transcendence of individuality and this, ipso facto, implies a theodicy. Every nomos confronts the individual as a meaningful reality the comprehends him and all his experiences.." How does this apply to peak experience and self-actualization?

Thought: Can modern psychotherapy be thought of as a theodicy? As a way of explaining suffering to the sufferer? It is true that psychotherapy seeks both to explain and alleviate suffering or evil. It aims to remove the intrinsic shame carried by most individuals, which is the cause of so much suffering. As opposed to taking action that should lead to guilt, individuals find themselves guilty without reason. This fact highlights one aspect of the irrationality of emotion as opposed to rational emotional response like anger against a perceived slight.

p 60 Berger makes comments on the nature of individuality and its association with collectivities - this is useful in the sense of presenting an alternative vision of individuality.

p 64 Berger discusses mysticism and the annihilation of the self: to what extent does this apply to peak experiences? In PE is there a loss of self? And how is this connected to Theodicy?

p 79 Berger makes some very interesting remarks on the decline of christianity and its relation to revolution. This fits in with Freud's revolution of the psyche that continued on through maslow. The last 3 paragraphs will serve as excellent context. There are good Camus quotes as well. I should explicate the context Berger mentions further as it is the direct context out of which psychotherapy emerges.