Although every self-conscious individual is unique, each became self-conscious only through social interaction. Thought is internalized speech. Guilt is internalized shame. Even a hermit reflects a social context. One hermit is Christian, another is Hindu, whereas a human child brought up by animals is an animal without any ability to reflect on, identify with, reinterpret or reject a tradition.
Having internalized speech, we address not only fellow human beings but also nature, the heavens and the transcendent. However, philosophy and science depersonify nature. Thus, I know that the Sun is not a conscious being. Nevertheless, I feel grateful and meditate on the light of the god Savitri in the morning.
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