Myth Analyzed

This book provides an overview of modern theories of myth from various social sciences and humanities disciplines, exploring their explanations of the origin, function, and subject matter of myth. It discusses whether myth still plays a role in our lives and considers the specific needs that give rise of rise to myths across different theories.

Format: Hardback
Length: 214 pages
Publication date: 14 October 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Comparing and evaluating modern theories of myth, this book offers an overview of explanations of myth from the social sciences and the humanities. This ambitious collection of essays uses the viewpoints of a variety of disciplines - psychology, anthropology, sociology, politics, philosophy, religious studies, and literature. Each discipline advocates a generalization about the origin, the function, and the subject matter of myth. The subject is always not what makes any myth distinct but what makes all myths myth. The book is divided into five sections, covering topics such as myth and psychoanalysis, hero myths, myth and science, myth and politics, and myth and the physical world. Chapters engage with an array of theorists - among them, Freud, Jung, Campbell, Rank, Winnicott, Tylor, Frazer, Malinowski, Levy-Bruhl, Levi-Strauss, Harrison, and Burkert. The book considers whether myth still plays a role in our lives, showing that myths arise anything but spontaneously. They are the result of a specific need, which varies from theory to theory.

This is a fascinating survey by a leading voice in the study of myth. As such, it will be of much interest to scholars of myth and how it interacts with Sociology, Anthropology, Politics and Economics.

Weight: 484g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367221577