Manly P. Hall: Pandora's box - The Mystery of Memory

Manly Hall Society

The Creation of Pandora and its Symbolic Meaning

The Greek myth of Pandora's creation is discussed.

The gods created Pandora from clay and gave her life and various gifts.

Athena gave Pandora wisdom, others gave her courage and longevity, and goddesses adorned her.

Pandora symbolizes planet Earth, molded and beautified by wisdom and understanding.

The gods intended to create a beautiful planet, which they successfully accomplished.

Pandora's Box and the Conflict Between Man and Nature

Zeus's conflict with Prometheus, who gave fire to humanity, is mentioned.

Prometheus's brother, also an activist, is involved in the advancement of fire and arts.

Zeus gave Pandora a box as a wedding gift, warning against opening it.

Pandora's husband opened the box, releasing evils and leaving only hope inside.

The marriage of Earth (Pandora) and human ambition is presented as the start of humanity's troubles.

Humanity's Misuse of Inventions and Resources

Human achievements often violate natural laws, leading to conflict with nature.

Man prioritizes his will over nature's, creating problems.

Earth's capacity for advancement is contrasted with the disorders caused by disregarding natural laws.

Humanity's ambition to rule the planet is highlighted.

Early humans lacked knowledge of natural law, leading to mistakes.

Consequences of Resource Depletion and the Need for Conservation

The Earth's limited resources are compared to a bottle that cannot be refilled.

The urgent need for resource conservation is emphasized.

Current resource wastage is highlighted as a serious problem.

The human body is used as an analogy to illustrate the consequences of excessive resource consumption.

The lack of conservation in the exploitation of petroleum is criticized.

Examples of Good Ideas Corrupted by Human Selfishness

The automobile is used as an example of a good invention turned into a source of exploitation and environmental damage.

The airplane is discussed as another example of a good idea corrupted by human ambition and leading to war and environmental damage.

Motion pictures, initially educational, have become a vast economic empire that prioritizes profit over societal advancement.

Atomic and nuclear fission are presented as a dangerous technology with potential for self-destruction.

The petroleum industry is criticized for its misuse of resources and its focus on profit over nature's intended purpose.

The speaker discusses the potential for planetary destruction due to human actions.

The need for resource conservation and thinking beyond self-interest is emphasized.

A new world order is anticipated, with greater emphasis on strong, constructive character.

The importance of the home as an institution for raising children is discussed, highlighting the decline of unselfishness.

The need for cooperation for the common good instead of competition for private profit is emphasized.

The speaker suggests that the public school system should take a greater interest in the study of natural law.