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In this following context, should I take the phrase "this tiny man" to be a 'homunculus'?

How should I understand the meaning of the bold and italic phrase in the following paragraph?

Under the influence of the newest knowledge the psychologists already begin to realize the truth about the delusive nature of the ego- entity, the mere relative value of the ego-feeling, the great dependency of this tiny man on the inexhaustible and complex working factors of the whole world...

Collected Wheel Publications Volume XXVI:

2 Answers 2

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I take the intent of the author as trying to diminish the value of the "ego-entity" by referring to it as "tiny". The phrase "tiny man" can be used to refer to persons thought to have low moral or intellectual "stature". One can develop an image of a little, narrow-minded man sitting within a person's cranium, somewhat unconsciously going about his daily business but not attending to higher goals.

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In this passage, it is apparent that "tiny man" is a metaphor for "ego".

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  • What is your idea about the last phrase, bold and italic? @James K.
    – Sakya Kim
    Commented Jan 19, 2023 at 9:24
  • That is a question to ask on Buddhism. There may be a deep meaning in the philosophy, but otherwise it just means the "great (large, important) dependency of the ego on the inexhaustible (never-ending) and complex (many parts) working factors (functional elements) of the whole world (of the universe)
    – James K
    Commented Jan 19, 2023 at 17:44

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