Paleolithic Politics: The Human Community in Early Art (The Beginning and the Beyond of Politics)

Using his background in political theory and philosophical anthropology, Barry Cooper is the first political scientist to propose new interpretations of some of the most famous extant Paleolithic art and artifacts in Paleolithic Politics . This book is inspired by Eric Voegelin, one of the major political scientists of the last century, who developed an interest in the very early symbolism associated with the caves and rock shelters of the Upper Paleolithic, but never finished his analysis. Cooper, who has written extensively on Voegelin’s theories, takes up the enterprise of applying Voegelin’s approach to an analysis of portable and cave art. He specifically applies Voegelin’s philosophy of consciousness, his concept of the compactness and differentiation of consciousness, his argument regarding the experience and symbolizations of reality, and his notion of the primary experience of the cosmos to images previously regarded as pedestrian. Cooper demonstrates the political significance of the earliest expressions of human existence and is among the first to argue that political life began not with the Greeks, but 25,000 years before them. Archaeologists, prehistorians, and political scientists will all benefit from this original and provocative work. With 'Paleolithic Politics', Barry Cooper is the first political scientist to propose new interpretations of some of the most famous extant Paleolithic art and artifacts, using his background in political theory and philosophical anthropology. This book is inspired by Eric Voegelin, one of the major political scientists of the last century, who developed an interest in the very early symbolism associated with the caves and rock shelters of the Upper Paleolithic but never finished his analysis. Cooper, who has written extensively on Voegelin's political science, takes up the enterprise of applying Voegelin's ideas to an analysis of portable and cave art. He specifically applies Voegelin's philosophy of consciousness, his concept of the compactness and differentiation of consciousness, his argument regarding the experience and symbolizations of reality, and his notion of the primary experience of the cosmos. Cooper demonstrates the political significance of the earliest expressions of human existence and is among the first to argue that political life began 25,000 years before the Greeks.0The book will be of interest to archaeologists and prehistorians. Political scientists, who conventionally date the origin of their discipline to Plato and Aristotle, will find plenty to discuss regarding the analysis of the cosmological symbolism developed many thousands of years earlier. With Paleolithic Politics, Barry Cooper Is The First Political Scientist To Propose New Interpretations Of Some Of The Most Famous Extant Paleolithic Art And Artifacts, Using His Background In Political Theory And Philosophical Anthropology. This Book Is Inspired By Eric Voegelin, One Of The Major Political Scientists Of The Last Century, Who Developed An Interest In The Very Early Symbolism Associated With The Caves And Rock Shelters Of The Upper Paleolithic But Never Finished His Analysis. Cooper, Who Has Written Extensively On Voegelin?s Political Science, Takes Up The Enterprise Of Applying Voegelin?s Ideas To An Analysis Of Portable And Cave Art. He Specifically Applies Voegelin?s Philosophy Of Consciousness, His Concept Of The Compactness And Differentiation Of Consciousness, His Argument Regarding The Experience And Symbolizations Of Reality, And His Notion Of The Primary Experience Of The Cosmos. Cooper Demonstrates The Political Significance Of The Earliest Expressions Of Human Existence And Is Among The First To Argue That Political Life Began 25,000 Years Before The Greeks. The Book Will Be Of Interest To Archaeologists And Prehistorians. Political Scientists, Who Conventionally Date The Origin Of Their Discipline To Plato And Aristotle, Will Find Plenty To Discuss Regarding The Analysis Of The Cosmological Symbolism Developed Many Thousands Of Years Earlier. "This book proposes new interpretations of some of the most famous extant Paleolithic art and artifacts. This work was inspired by Eric Voegelin, a major political scientist who developed an interest in the very early symbolism associated with the caves and rock shelters of the Upper Paleolithic who did not finish his analysis. Cooper takes up the enterprise of applying Voegelin's philosophy in order to demonstrate the political significance of the earliest expressions of human existence. Cooper is among the first to argue that political life began not with the Greeks, but 25,000 year before them" (ed.)