Fall of Man and Madness

Name: Fall of Man and Madness
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The work explores the concept of humanity's moral history through the lens of a fundamental fall, suggesting that without this fall, human existence lacks meaning. It posits that madness transcends mere physical ailment, characterizing it as a state where the spirit is dormant yet intermittently awakens, allowing base instincts to surface. This condition leads to a perpetual struggle against the temptations of the senses, where reason may hold out against these urges for a time but can ultimately succumb, resulting in irreversible madness. The text critiques existing theories of human behavior, specifically those of Brown and Darwin, arguing that they fail to address essential aspects of human experience, such as sleep and death. It emphasizes the complexity of human consciousness and the interplay between reason and instinct, suggesting that the will plays a crucial role in the descent into madness. The author references Bishop Butler to illustrate the lifelong battle against sensory temptations, highlighting the precarious balance between rational thought and the potential for insanity. Additionally, the work touches on the physiological aspects of excitation and exhaustion, challenging the notion that every stimulation leads to fatigue. It presents nitrous oxide as an example of a stimulus that defies this rule, illustrating the intricate relationship between bodily sensations and mental states. The narrative ultimately delves into the profound mysteries of existence, the nature of madness, and the moral implications of human behavior, leaving readers to ponder the depths of the human condition.

By Samuel Taylor Coleridge · First published 1816 · Genre: Philosophical Literature, Psychological Analysis, Metaphysical Poetry · 410 words

First lines

A Fall of some sort or other -- the creation, as it were, of the non- / absolute -- is the fundamental postulate of the moral history of man. Without / this hypothesis, man is unintelligible; with it, every phenomenon is / explicable. The mystery itself is too profound for human insight.

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Fall of Man and Madness is listed on Textopian as an essay by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, dated 1816 CE.

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Work type: Essay
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Date: 1816 CE
Language: English
Genres: Philosophical Literature, Psychological Analysis, Metaphysical Poetry, Essays, Romanticism
Length: 410 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Genres

Philosophical Literature — The text explores deep moral and existential questions about the nature of man, madness, and the implications of free will.
Psychological Analysis — It delves into the nature of madness, the human psyche, and the struggle between reason and base instincts.
Metaphysical Poetry — The work reflects on abstract concepts such as existence, morality, and the human condition, characteristic of metaphysical themes.
Essays — The format and style resemble an essay, presenting arguments and reflections rather than a narrative.