Päriselus

Päriselus is a term used in speculative philosophy and Estonian-language fiction to describe a purported layer of life that underlies or precedes an individual's current existence. It is not a proven phenomenon but a theoretical construct meant to explore how ancestry, culture, and prior experiences might influence present perception.

Etymology and scope: The word is formed from Estonian elements commonly glossed as "real" or "true" life; there is no universally accepted definition, and usage varies by author. In most treatments, päriselus is conceived as transgenerational rather than strictly genetic, bridging psychology, memory studies, and metaphysics.

Conceptual model: Päriselus is described as a reservoir of memories, dispositions, or cultural residues that are inherited or carried across lifetimes. It is thought to interact with individual cognition through dreams, sudden recognitions, or intuitive pulls, without determining behavior in a rigid way.

Relation to other ideas: The concept overlaps with theories of implicit or collective memory, genetic memory, and ancestral trauma, but it is distinguished by its emphasis on a persistent yet mutable layer of experience rather than explicit recollection. Critics argue that it cannot be falsified; supporters cite its usefulness for discussing transgenerational influence in art and ethics.

Applications and reception: In literature and philosophy, päriselus provides a narrative mechanism for recurring motifs and for questions about identity, responsibility, and heritage. Its popularity remains niche and contested, largely within speculative circles.

See also: collective memory, genetic memory, ancestral memory, transgenerational trauma.