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If the Fea arises from Eru, then we are, in a small way, like our 'father' - makers & sub creators
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Well, seemingly, I was putting wrong words around same thought. If we replace "Only real source of new things is Eru", with "Ultimate source of new things is Eru", the picture would be more precise, I believe. (Consensus approaching, beware!) I have never intended it to look like "Brahma Dreaming"
and Sims don't have option of choice, they are guided all through. Let me announce my mild agreement on this (with a remark (is it another part of the same thought expressed in different wording?) that whatever Men may be sub-creating on their own, is lacking real novelty (as it in the case of Aule and fathers of the dwarves,) unless blessed, made alive by Eru). You seem to say the same thing, the difference is in definition - I hold it that, since it requires direct animation by Eru, it makes Him the source of new things by definition, not the actual creature which were engaged in the process of subcreating. But, as I come to think of it now, does not matter how it is described - as done now and than approved (from the point of view of the creature inside time), or known to be going to be presented and approved from the very beginning (as omniscience of Eru makes us suppose), for both are same thing seen from different standing points. Truce here it is, than (more below)
Now for:
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why put men into the world at all if they are only to be a mortal version of Elves, same limitations, only not around so long
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The errand of Men is stated in AFAA to bring healing of Arda about. That's why elves believe their incurable longing is the effect of comparison they are constantly making of what they see here and now with some, if it may be put so, built-in pattern of "how it should look like"
The brevity of their life span in later works is associated with the Fall (as a race), for "wise among men" hold that in the original design Men were meant for life indestructible - union of fea (of Eru) and hroa (of the matter of Arda) so unbreakable that it would be able to lift, bring up the matter, i.e. thing temporal, to the eternal world of flame imperishable. (elves in this scheme are supposed to function as a kind of memory cells - to remember and remind others of the first world, when the Arda Remade is brought into being) But men are so weakened by their fall that death is given to them as a release (thus Tolkien's conception of Fall and Death as a consequence both differs and calls up at the same time to Christian myth, were death is a punishment, and at the same time, a release). Vague legends of the first men even indicate that Eru Himself may enter Arda one day as an incarnate Human and thus ensure its bringing up (which was originally designed as the task of Men but they are no longer able to perform is as they are consdue to their Fall). Such a legend, when heard of by Finrod, makes his heart 'leap forth with joy', sign held by elves as an indicator of ultimate truth of thing said (even when the hearer lacks knowledge as stored in his brain, such a sudden joy is "of recognition" the heart is able to)
Limitations re:
But limitations are not the same - men go when they die. Where to, following the statement that the whole legendarium is presented as legends of the elves, is not known. But while they are here, the quote of "nor are they one thing among Elves and Dwarves and another among Men" implies similar limitations - men and elves are supposed to act alike, modifying their behaviour of any instant according to 'in doubt a man of worth will trust to his own wisdom' - i.e., make a choice. So the true freedom comes down to the choice between given options,(and actions following such a choice, to eliminate possibility of accusations of brahmanism
, but the choice comes first - remember Fëanor and his refusal to give up Silmarilli) and is similar in both cases (of elves and men)
Ability of sub-creation is not a sign of freedom, for:
The subcreator is limited by the whole load of drawbacks - his hroa being one and the main of them
Ability of sub-creation is not a sign of special human freedom for:
Dwarves and Elves alike are able of it.
It is rather a sign of a being having a fëa, than.
cheers