Subdue the earth!?
By Michael Berger, March 22, 2026Misunderstood? Is there a secret hidden behind it? Perhaps even a simple formula for lasting happiness and peace?
Introduction
Of course, the solution to all our problems lies in life itself! It’s so simple that we probably doubt it for that very reason. After all, we’re used to things being complicated. If it doesn’t hurt, if we don’t have to fill out at least four forms and pay just as many government offices, then it seems strange to us.
It’s logical, isn’t it? All bureaucracy, the economy, legal texts, the monetary system—they’re all our inventions! They only work because of our acceptance! Nature doesn’t exist like that, and it doesn’t need it. And we aren’t doomed for eternity either. Most rules were written without our consent or before our time. Therefore, they’re only valid if we explicitly agree to them. This applies, for example, to all legal texts everywhere in the world. And how do we get out of this? We simply say…I don’t need it anymore! Done. What happens then?
Golden Rule – Thats it!
Basically, there’s only one rule we should really follow…the so-called “Golden Rule.”* It’s even better than that. Life itself—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual—is built upon it. That’s why the Golden Rule is within us all! Try it.
From this moment on, you are fully responsible for your own actions. No more excuses just because there’s a loophole in the terms and conditions (legal texts). That’s what makes life so simple! Live in such a way that everyone is doing well or is on the path to doing so. And what do we notice immediately? That’s what we’ve been searching for all along…it brings us the most joy => the law within us.
Responsibility is one side of the coin, authority the other. Don’t flinch. These two are simply like rights and duties. They always go hand in hand and, above all, should be enjoyable. Practically speaking, by taking responsibility, I can also make free choices. Working together with everyone, this creates lasting happiness and all the good things imaginable, and more.
*Golden Rule: Treat everyone as you would like to be treated! This principle exists in all cultures and religions. It is universal and, at its core, the origin of the meaning of domination => see the concluding formula at the end of the text.
The following treatise aims to shed some light on the historical development of our arrogant way of life on this beautiful Earth. But there’s no need to dwell on the past. We’ll simply do things differently starting today.
Dominion – Origin, Meaning and Responsibility
1. Linguistic origin
– Proto-Indo-European root: *dom- / *dem- → ” build ” , ” erect a house “
– From this:
– domus (Latin) → house
– dominus → Landlord
– dominium → Rule / Property
👉 Original meaning:
An orderly living space for which someone is responsible.
2. Early meaning: House as a world in miniature
The “house” was:
– economic unit
– religious site
– social order
The owner of the house (woman / man) was:
– Suppliers
– Judge
– Protector
👉 “Dominion” originally meant:
Responsible authority within a specific sphere of life
3. Historical Formations of Dominion
Roman
– Highly structured and legally defined
– Responsibility = duty to maintain order
– Power legitimized by role
Germanic
– Relationship instead of structure
– Rule is based on loyalty
– Responsibility = Protection and Reciprocity
Christian
– Power is “borrowed”
Responsibility takes precedence over authority
– Accountability to God
👉 Result:
Dominion = balance of power, responsibility, and relationship
4. Biblical context (“Subdue the earth”)
origin
– Genesis 1:28 (Hebrew)
Key terms:
– kavash → subjugate / make usable
– radah → rule / control
👉 Meaning in context:
– not a license to exploit
– but rather a mandate for order and maintenance
5. Ancient Near Eastern Background
Comparison with older myths (Mesopotamia):
Similarities:
– Creation from chaos
– Humans have a special role
Differences:
– no battle of the gods
– a god creates through word
– Man = Image of God
👉 Key innovation:
Rule is transferred from kings to all people.
6. Change in meaning over time
Ancient times
– Order and integration into cosmic structure
Medieval Times
– Tension between ideal (responsibility) and practice (power)
Modern era
– Nature as an object
– Dominion = Control
Present
– Return to responsibility (e.g., ecological perspectives)
7. Facts vs. Interpretation
Facts:
– Texts (e.g. Genesis)
– Linguistic meanings
– historical parallels
Interpretation:
– ethical significance
– Weighting of power vs. responsibility
– cultural context
👉 Insight:
Meaning arises not only from the text itself, but also from its interpretation.
8. Dealing with uncertainty
Problem:
Knowledge is never completely secure.
Possible routes:
1. Tradition → stability
2. Rationality → Critical thinking
3. Responsibility → Acting despite uncertainty
👉 Key insight:
The more uncertain the knowledge, the more responsibly power must be used.
9. Key idea
👉 Dominion means, in its deepest sense:
“Responsible exercise of authority within an entrusted area”
Not:
– mere control
– pure possession
Rather:
– Responsibility
– Relationship
– Accountability
