Publisher's Synopsis
""National Being"" is a philosophical treatise written by George William Russell, also known as AE, which explores the concept of national identity and its relation to the individual. The book argues that nations possess a collective consciousness or ""national being"" that is shaped by a shared history, culture, and mythology. Russell contends that this national being is not static but evolves over time through the creative expression of its people. He also explores the role of the individual in relation to the collective, arguing that a healthy nation requires individuals who are connected to their cultural heritage but also able to express their unique individuality. The book draws on a range of sources, including Irish mythology, Hindu philosophy, and the writings of William Butler Yeats. Overall, ""National Being"" offers a thought-provoking examination of the nature of national identity and its importance for both individuals and societies.The change from static to dynamic, from fixed forms to fluid forms, has been coming swiftly over the world owing to the liberation of thought, and this in spite of the obstruction of a society organized, I might almost say, with egomania as the predominant psychological factor. The ancient conception of Nature as a manifestation of spirit is incarnating anew in the minds of modern thinkers, and Nature is not conceived of as material, but as force and continual motion; and they are trying to identify human will with this arcane energy, and let the forces of Nature have freer play in humanity. We begin to catch glimpses of civilizations as far exceeding ours as ours surpasses society in the Stone Age.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
