The primitive thinking of the supernaturally inclined amounts to what his psychiatric colleagues call a problem, or an idea, of reference. An excess of the subjective, the ordering of the world in line with your needs, an inability to contemplate your own unimportance. In Henry's view such reasoning belongs on a spectrum at whose far end, rearing like an abandoned temple, lies psychosis.
In "Saturday" by Ian McEwan, the protagonist Henry reflects on the nature of primitive thinking that is often tied to a belief in the supernatural. He suggests that this type of thinking can lead individuals to prioritize their own subjective experiences, creating a distorted sense of reality where personal needs overshadow a broader understanding of the world. This inclination results in an inflated sense of self-importance, making it difficult for individuals to grasp their place within the universe.
Henry proposes that this distorted reasoning exists on a spectrum, with its most extreme end resembling psychosis. He likens such extreme beliefs to an abandoned temple—an eerie and isolated manifestation of a distorted mindset. This metaphor underscores the disconnection from reality and the dangers of allowing subjective interpretations to overshadow rational thinking and a sense of shared human experience.
