The first verse is arguing for determinism - if he had the tools and knowledge to control circumstances completely, he could mold your mind or mine, just like any other physical system.
The chorus refers to storybook sages - these would be the theologians and religious apologists who know a lot about religious scripture and doctrine, but presumably little else in the real world (they hide from the sun, so to speak).
The second verse is about arguments for Free Will being based purely on an emotional need to make Man "special" and not subject to the deterministic laws of nature. The discoveries that have razed the edifice of the delusion of Free Will are discoveries in neuroscience and related fields.
The Grand Delusion is Free Will.
The first verse is arguing for determinism - if he had the tools and knowledge to control circumstances completely, he could mold your mind or mine, just like any other physical system.
The chorus refers to storybook sages - these would be the theologians and religious apologists who know a lot about religious scripture and doctrine, but presumably little else in the real world (they hide from the sun, so to speak).
The second verse is about arguments for Free Will being based purely on an emotional need to make Man "special" and not subject to the deterministic laws of nature. The discoveries that have razed the edifice of the delusion of Free Will are discoveries in neuroscience and related fields.
Correct me if I'm wrong.