Symbolic forms

When catastrophes increase,'modern', technically and scientifically organised societies must address fundamental questions. How was it possible for more complex societies without exact sciences and instrumental technology to stabilise relatively in an overall undefined environment? What is wrong when this seems to be becoming less and less successful today? Can fundamental patterns be identified that make societies more susceptible to disasters? The category of symbolic form can address these questions and derive some elements to answer them. The symbolic is the moment by which man has always coordinated with his environment. The increase in catastrophe phenomena'appallingly' points to this category repressed in modernity.