In the beginning the world was nothing but the Atman, in the form of a man. It looked around and saw nothing different to itself. Then it cried out once, ‘It is I.’ That is how the word ‘I’ came to be. That is why even at the present day, if any one is called, he answers, ‘It is I,’ and then recalls his other name, the one he bears.” –(Brihadâranyata- Upanishad. )
In demonstrating the potential development of the increasing awareness of “I” consciousness, Evola builds on themes from the following books:
“Persuasion and Rhetoric”, by Carlo Michelstaedter
“The World as Will and Representation” , by Arthur Schopenhauer
“The Ego and its Own”, by Max Stirner
“Sex and Character”, by Otto Weininger
The last named book was translated by Evola into Italian. There is one particular chapter — The “I” Problem and Genius — that may be helpful before tackling Evola’s short book. For convenience, I have made it available here:
For a sneak peak, click here: Individual and the Becoming of the World.
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