Why do humans always seek to worship other humans?

The gods of ancient times who were human in form; monarchs throughout history; presidents who are treated akin to monarchs (see Obama when he was first elected); celebrities who are treated almost as superhuman figures.

Why is it that humans always seek to worship other humans? Why must we always have one human or a small group of humans who are above everyone else and worshipped?

Can anyone who majors in psychology explain this to me?!

Reply 1

shadowdweller

Volunteer Section Leader

Moved to Philosophy :smile:

Reply 2

Calvin

Original post by shadowdweller

Moved to Philosophy :smile:

Why?

OP seems interested in a Psychology/Sociology explanation.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 3

shadowdweller

Volunteer Section Leader

Original post by Calvin

Why?

OP seems interested in a Psychology/Sociology explanation.

Thread hadn't gotten a response in Society, thought it might get more replies here :smile:

Reply 4

Calvin

Original post by shadowdweller

Thread hadn't gotten a response in Society, thought it might get more replies here :smile:

Thoughtful of you :smile:

It's hard to know what to meaningfullysay from a Philosophy perspective though with any justification or evidence. Seems more like general discussion.

Reply 5

pjm600

Original post by Lady Comstock

I'm not a psychology major.

This could be explained through the seemingly innate capacity to submit to authority.

Why?

Taking an evolutionary psychology approach would suggest that a capacity to submit to authority would have developed as a means to maintain order in society. An ordered society, one that has a distinct leader, would probably be more likely to survive than one where each member sees themselves as the leader. The latter case, one would presume, would lead to infighting etc., and generally be less productive.

Further reading milgram, ep

Reply 6

saalih

its innate nature of a human being to worship something, it depends on the human being to choose what to worship based on his/other exploration and reasoning.

that is why even atheists as much as they run away from the word "worship" have something they worship, whether it is money/fame/power/sex/desires/celebrity/music/science etc. there is no escape, the only breaks "free" is the one who leaves everything created and turns towards the Creator.

Reply 7

ziu

Because some men are Gods and they should be venerated.

Reply 8

lilymoran

I don't think people volunteered to 'worship' monarchs. They often/usually got killed if they didn't - Henry 1, 11, 111, IV, V, Vi, Vii, Viii etc.

You wouldn't have lasted long if you tried standing up to any of them. Not to mention the lovable Edward 1, 11, 111, IV or maybe Richard 1 or 11 or 111?

Monarchs have never been loath to murder their close relatives even
Fortunately most people never came across them.

Reply 9

Riku

From a more philosophical perspective than the evolutionary psychology suggested above (which I happen to agree with) in the absence of an omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent ego, we seek out that which can help us establish understanding of the world, a perpetual Other to our self, and purpose-our values and identity. Since most behaviour is learned from the environment, that which can teach us these things become our idols. For example we will be at greater difficult learn how to speak if we do not learn it from another, since we cannot know what language is or how to move our mouths in specific ways to communicate messages to the Other in this mode of discourse.

One would have to have a sincere 'God' complex to not seek out a higher authority of some form, be they organic (an 'Alpha') material (statues, in our world money etc.) or abstract ideals (deities, and in today's time fame, power, remembrance) in creation of one's identity.