destroy it. . . when we have built this Tower,let us climb up into heaven. . . thus shall we avenge the death of our ancestorsand make ourselves for ever secure from the hostility of both God and Nature."4Cultural elements, or edifices, such as the Tower of Babel exist, accordingto Charles Cooley, for only two reasons: practicality and psychological need. Cooley was a member of the Conflict School of political and sociological thought. He believes that norms in primary groups play a major part in the development ofsocial units and the respective natures, norms and mores which accompanythese groups. Therefore, virtually all social problems are a direct result of therelations which individuals within the group have with themselves; they have theirown "distinct initiative and choice and force."5 The preceding opinions andspeculations of various theorists aid in the sociological analysis of mankind's firstmajor attempt to directly challenge the authority of God the Creator.The genuine impetus for the construction of the Tower of Babel all goesback to the fall of man. In Genesis 3:5, the serpent says to Eve, "you will be likeGod, knowing good and evil."6 The human desire to be "like God" is resistanceto God the Creator. It leads to the attempt by all humans to be recognized byother human beings as a god, therefore to the dehumanization and enslavementof their fellow humans. Another example of this can be found in theMaster-Slave dialectic. In this argumentation, the master wants to be recognizedas a god, or at least as superior to others. He gains this recognition from hisslaves, but receives no reverence from his peers or his betters.Following the man's quest for god-like characteristics and the ensuing fallof mankind, there was a buildup of civilization led by Cain's descendants, and asubsequent buildup of evil. God then brought the Great Flood, saving only onefamily, the family of Noah. Following Noah's five-hundredth year, he...
