Saving the Appearances – Owen Barfield – 1957, edited by various publishers over time

Saving the Appearances: A Study in Idolatry

Owen Barfield’s Saving the Appearances, first published in 1957, is a complex and challenging work that explores the historical evolution of human consciousness and the shift from a ‘participatory’ to a ‘scientific’ worldview. Barfield examines how early cultures perceived the world—not as a collection of objective, measurable entities, but as imbued with meaning, agency, and a direct connection to the divine. He argues that this earlier mode of perception, often dismissed as ‘primitive’ or ‘superstitious,’ was not a failure of intellect, but a fundamentally different way of knowing, one where objects were understood as ‘participating’ in a larger, unified reality.

What the Book Explores

The central argument revolves around the concept of ‘original participation’ – a state of consciousness where the boundaries between subject and object were fluid, and where the world was seen as alive and responsive to human intention. Barfield traces the gradual ‘severing’ of this participation, resulting in the modern scientific worldview characterized by objectivity, abstraction, and the separation of mind and matter. He delves into the role of language in shaping perception, suggesting that our current linguistic structures reflect a loss of this earlier, more holistic understanding. The book doesn’t advocate for a return to ‘primitive’ beliefs, but rather for a critical re-evaluation of the assumptions underlying modern thought and a recognition of the limitations of a purely materialistic perspective.

Historical / Cultural Context

Barfield wrote Saving the Appearances against the backdrop of post-war intellectual ferment, particularly the growing interest in mythology, anthropology, and the history of religions. Influenced by thinkers like C.S. Lewis (with whom he engaged in extended correspondence on the subject), Rudolf Bultmann, and Lucien Lévy-Bruhl, he sought to understand the roots of religious belief and the psychological foundations of myth. The book emerged as a response to the perceived inadequacies of purely rationalist explanations for human experience. Barfield’s work anticipated later developments in fields such as phenomenology, cognitive science, and ecopsychology, which explore the interconnectedness of consciousness and the natural world. The title itself refers to a phrase used by ancient astronomers to describe how they preserved the observed phenomena while developing theoretical explanations, a metaphor for how humanity has historically adapted its understanding of reality.

Who This Book Is For

This book is best suited for readers with an interest in the history of ideas, the philosophy of consciousness, and the relationship between religion, mythology, and science. It demands careful reading and a willingness to engage with complex philosophical concepts. While not requiring a formal academic background, it benefits from some familiarity with the history of Western thought and the critiques of modern science. It would appeal to those exploring the foundations of belief systems or interested in alternative perspectives on the nature of reality.