In their first chapter Berger and Luckmann discuss everyday life. They explain a world centered in the "here" and "now". They analyze aspects of language and knowledge in relation to everyday life.
I was wondering when science and religion enter their considerations. And: voilà on page 40 (Anchor Books, 1967) it is there: Symbol systems very remote from the pragmatic language for everyday purposes: Abra cadabra so to say.
Cynicism and skepticism have a lot to say about the expendable nature of all that.
I am looking forward to read more about B&L's arguments in the coming chapters. I can recall the Ichthyosophists, who I really like.
Nevertheless, I think Berger and Luckmann are completely right about the predominance of the "here" and "now"as the focus of everyday knowledge. Everything is in it, the future, which is just an illusion, and the past, which is just a memory. In the presence everything is there.
However, why do we permanently try to escape from the "here" and "now"by thinking, day dreaming, drugs, television and other means?
To learn why, and to learn to avoid it is one of my missions.
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