Mark: Could you direct me to any works on the role of the artist in early societies? Maybe a study in anthropology? I'm interested in the unconscious shamanistic significance of art as a practical tool in human endeavour and development. I'm a writer on heritage issues.
Saberi: Hi Mark, thanks for your question. I haven’t done much research on this but have some idea. You might like to go through - David S. Whitley (1998) Cognitive Neuroscience, Shamanism and the Rock Art of Native California. Anthropology of Consciousness 9 (1), 22–37
There is also a very good book I remember and I’m sure you know. Shamanism – The Beginnings of Art by Andreas Lommel. In fact books by Lommel are good. Basically I think you’ll be looking at Tribal Art and Rock Art and Primitive Art in general. Do go through the Anthropology of Consciousness and many of the issues will have related articles. Also, what about Primitive Art by Franz Boas? Interesting area of research. Hope this helps! Cheers.
Dan: In your Psychology of Altruism, you haven’t provided a development perspective on what makes people Altruistic? Is there a Psychological theory of Altruism apart from Maslow’s that you have indicated or one that does not seem to draw on biological/evolutionary perspectives?
Saberi: Hi Dan, thanks for your question. Psychology as of now seems to be heavily dependent on evolutionary perspectives for the explanation of Altruism. Altruism in fact is a topic for evolutionary psychologists. There may be some flaws to this and the perspectives become limited. Psychoanalysis has been rather dismissive towards altruism considering the fact that psychoanalysis is focused on explaining our primal instincts. I would say psychoanalysis is largely self-centered but many modern psychologists after Jung have tried to move away from that position although a proper developmental psychology of altruism needs to be worked on. Good question. Hope this helps.Cheers.