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...
