AN ANALYSIS OF APOCALYPTIC BELIEFS BASED ON THE MYTH OF GILGAMESH AND ATTITUDE AND SET THEORY

Abstract

Beliefs about the end of civilization, or apocalyptic moods, are deeply embedded in human history and culture. These ideas, originating from time immemorial, manifest in various forms and have been widely studied as expressions of humanity’s
existential fears. While the term „apocalypse” originally signified a divine „revelation,” its modern connotation has shifted towards catastrophic destruction, often caused by human actions. This paper explores the psychological foundations of these enduring
and evolving beliefs.
Research will find out underlying psychological mechanisms that give rise to and shape apocalyptic moods, from ancient myths to modern anxieties. This study employs a theoretical and conceptual analysis, using Dimitri Uznadze’s attitude and set theory as its primary analytical framework. The theory, which posits that psychic activity arises from the interaction between a subject’s needs (subjective factor) and the objective environment (objective factor), is applied to interpret one of the earliest recorded apocalyptic narratives—the flood myth in the Epic of Gilgamesh and the modern apocalyptic fears. The analysis integrates insights from anthropology and religious studies to trace the evolution of apocalyptic thought. The analysis suggests that the genesis of apocalyptic beliefs is rooted in the human capacity for „objectification”—the conscious act of singling out and reflecting
upon a phenomenon. The foundational objectification is that of individual death, as exemplified by Gilgamesh’s fear following the death of his friend Enkidu. This individual existential anxiety, when confronted with large-scale natural disasters (objective
factors), is projected onto a collective scale, forming the basis for apocalyptic myths of world destruction and renewal. In the modern era, the objective factor has shifted from metaphysical forces to human-made threats, such as nuclear weapons and
pandemics, altering the nature of apocalyptic fear from one of divine judgment and renewal to one of secular, final annihilation.
Understanding apocalyptic moods through the lens of attitude and Set theory provides a framework for analyzing contemporary societal anxieties. It highlights how objective threats, amplified by modern technology and media, interact with fundamental human psychology to create powerful, socially formative dispositions towards the future. This perspective is crucial for comprehending the political and social impact of widespread existential fear.