Why are humans more enamored with symbolic acts than one with actual substance?

Question

Whether it be action done by the government or in more interpersonal affairs, why is meaningless symbolic junk more important to them?

Answer 1

Because they are not smart eneough to tell the difference between a false profit and a real one. And they generally don't seam to care.

Answer 2

This is a complicated question, because there are so many levels of symbolic action, such as: the birthday card-giving versus the birthday gift-giving -- both are symbolic, but the former allows a double standard to be evoked: why spend the time and money to find a gift when a Hallmark birthday card can solve the problem? This is only one social level of symbolic action and other types exist in spirituality, culture, politics, and education, not to mention innumerable other areas. One reason why humans are enamored by symbolic acts rather than an actual substance is for the sake of convenience, agreeing with the idea that people can expend less effort or thought. At the same time, sometimes, this minimal effort is immensely useful, as in the case of religious instructions meant for different types of people. One person might be inclined and best-advised, according to his or her habits and capacity for action, to perform sacred ablutions, rosary counting, and passing out bibles to feel the force of spiritual meaning in his or her life. Another person might me inclined and best-advised, according to his or her habits and capacity for reason, to simply understand that the life on earth is brief compared to the life hereafter in paradise, being one with the Spirit. Both are symbolic actions: the former is comprised of physical choices and conduct, whereas the second is comprised of a mental attitude and a perspective. Is one superior than the other? If reason is given a higher place than repetitive ritual, then the latter is superior. Nevertheless, both are suited to the abilities and the capacities of their practitioners.

Answer 3

Symbolic actions wouldn't be important if they were meaningless. What makes them symbolic is that they carry meaning. You should read The True Believer, by Eric Hoffer. Pages 64 and 74 in particular say some interesting things that apply to your question. One of the things this book will tell you is what kind of people are "more enamored with symbolic acts than with actual substance." One of the points he makes is that people generally aren't willing to sacrifice their lives for something real since nothing is more real than your own life. People have to be caught up in the idea of something greater, an idea conveyed by symbols. Reading this book may make you think that our nation's current obsession with symbolism is preparing us to participate in a huge war that might require sacrifice on an insane scale and you might be right.

Answer 4

First we would have to know what you consider "meaningless symbolic junk". If it is, in fact, meaningless no one will be "enamored" of it.

Answer 5

We basically like a good show. We desire entertainment, and have little interest for something that cannot sustain our interests for more than a few minutes. It is in our better interest (for survival) to pay attention to the most "happening" event, sadly rituals are the said events, whereas donation thousands of dollars to cancer research is not as important to us; unless it is a celebrity who is basically doing ti for publicity.

Answer 6

Like a toy attracts a child,symbolism attracts humans and if people use their intellect,this would not happen.

Answer 7

Some people do not realize the big picture . What is true and whaaaaaaaaaaaaat really matters. Some people do~