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Introduction to Anthropomorphism

Anthropomorphism is the practice of giving human characteristics, like emotions or personality, to animals, objects, or other non-human entities. This concept is widely seen in both Western and Eastern cultures, often appearing in literature, films, and folklore.

Cultural Manifestations

In Western culture, anthropomorphism is evident in popular media, such as the animated film The Lion King¹, where animals display human-like emotions and behaviors. In contrast, Eastern traditions, particularly in Iranian literature, show a deeper use, as seen in the ancient text Kalila wa Dimna², attributed to either Vishnu Sharma³ or Burzoe⁴, a physician from the Sassanid Empire⁵. This book, translated from Sanskrit⁶ to Middle Persian⁷ in the sixth century AD, is a collection of fables where animal characters embody human traits, reflecting moral and philosophical lessons.

Differences in Approach

Research suggests a key difference between Eastern and Western approaches. In the West, human traits are often projected onto animals, while in the East, animal characteristics, especially physical ones, are used metaphorically to describe human behaviors. For example, in Iranian culture, someone might be called turkey-necked⁸ for changing opinions based on self-interest, or ant-like⁹ for greed, based on observed animal behaviors.

Scientific and Philosophical Insights

The text explores whether these metaphors are just observations or have deeper roots. It suggests, based on Ostad Elahi’s¹⁰ teachings, that human traits might originate from animals through a quantum magnetic aggregation process during conception, termed Quantomagnetics¹¹ traits. This idea proposes that understanding these origins could revolutionize fields like medicine and psychology, though it remains a novel and debated concept.

Detailed Analysis of Anthropomorphism

Overview and Definition

Anthropomorphism, derived from the Greek words anthropos¹² (human) and morphe¹³ (form), refers to the attribution of human characteristics, such as personality traits, emotions, or behaviors, to non-human entities like animals, objects, or natural phenomena. This concept is not only a literary device but also a cultural and psychological phenomenon, with significant variations across Eastern and Western traditions. The text provided offers a comprehensive exploration, starting with its simplest form and delving into complex scientific interpretations, particularly through the lens of Ostad Elahi’s philosophical and scientific framework.

Cultural and Historical Context

The text begins by defining anthropomorphism in its most accessible form for the general public: attributing human traits to animals or other entities. It highlights its Western manifestation in modern media, specifically citing the animated film The Lion King, a product of the American film industry, where animals like Simba and Mufasa exhibit human-like emotions and social structures. This aligns with Western storytelling, where anthropomorphism often serves entertainment and moral education.

In contrast, the text points to an older and deeper instance in Eastern culture, specifically the book Kalila wa Dimna, a collection of fables from Indian and Persian traditions. Some researchers attribute its authorship to Vishnu Sharma, an Indian scholar, while others credit Burzoe, a renowned physician from the court of Khosrow Anushirvan¹⁴ of the Sassanid Empire, suggesting the original title was Kalilak wa Dimnak¹⁵. German sources, as mentioned, identify Burzoe as the translator from Sanskrit to Middle Persian or Pahlavi¹⁶ in the sixth century AD, noting his additions enriched the text’s value. If this claim holds, Kalila wa Dimna represents a collaborative effort between Indian thinkers from the Kushan Empire¹⁷ and Sassanian scholars, highlighting cross-cultural exchanges. Notably, Persian poets like Rudaki¹⁸ and Ferdowsi¹⁹ composed poems about this work, underscoring its cultural significance.

Comparative Analysis: Eastern vs. Western Approaches

The text delves into the intermediate stages, focusing on Iranian literature and customs, where anthropomorphism takes a deeper form. Here, human attributes are assigned to animals based on their external characteristics, such as calling someone "turkey-necked" for changing opinions based on self-interest, observed from a turkey’s neck color changes, or "ant-like" for greed, reflecting ants’ hoarding behavior. Other examples include attributing the courage of a lion or the cunning of a fox to humans, emphasizing physical and behavioral analogies.

A critical distinction is drawn between Eastern and Western approaches. In Western sources, the direction is from human to animal, where humans are seen as possessing a trait first, then attributing it to an animal, such as calling a brave person "lion-hearted." In Eastern sources, particularly Iranian, the metaphor flows from animal to human, but it is grounded in the animal’s observable traits, applied to groups of humans exhibiting similar characteristics. Despite these differences, the text notes that no scientific or logical explanation has been historically provided for this divergence, citing comparative studies as references.

Metaphorical Usage and Key Questions

The text asserts that metaphor, essentially a form of analogy, is used similarly in both cultures, with slight perspective differences. However, it poses a central question: Is the use of such metaphors solely based on observing animal behaviors, or do they have deeper biological and psychological origins? For instance, why do some humans exhibit miserliness while others show courage, and where do these trait variations originate? Answering these questions, the text suggests, could break barriers in understanding human biology and psychology, potentially transforming fields like medicine and psychology.

Scientific and Philosophical Framework: Ostad Elahi’s Teachings

The final section introduces a scientific perspective through Ostad Elahi’s explanations, a philosopher and thinker known for his work on self-knowledge and existential meaning.²⁰ He describes transformations across levels of existence—from inanimate to plant, plant to animal, and animal to human—suggesting that traits philosophers and literati consider human are actually transferred from animals. This transfer, according to the text, occurs through a "quantum magnetic aggregation process" during conception, where pure and foundational animal traits interact to form a human soul, termed "Quantomagnetics" traits. These concepts are detailed in a section on "Integrated Sciences,"²¹ implying a novel interdisciplinary approach.

This framework suggests that traits like the cunning of a fox or the greed of an ant are not merely metaphorical but rooted in a biological process at conception, transforming into human characteristics. The text argues that if scientists scrutinize these ideas, they could resolve significant challenges in understanding human psychology and physiology, potentially leading to breakthroughs in human sciences, including medicine and psychology.

Tables for Clarity

To organize the key differences and examples, the following tables are provided:

Life in space

The question is:

Reincarnation or ascending method?

 The seven factors of creation

Intelligence network

Master Elahi's Prophecies

Laws of creation

Laws of creation