Myths to live by

Myths to Live By is a dazzling analysis of mythology around the world by one of the great authorities on the study of myths, Joseph Campbell, author of The Masks of God. Mr Campbell's canvas is a broad one, ranging from Zen koans and Indian aesthetics to schizophrenia and walking on the moon, but his treatment of it is sharp and incisive, illuminating the function of myth in pre-scientific societies and the usefulness of myth today.



Mythical descriptions of the cosmos have been dissolved by a succession of scientific discoveries, as have mythic explanations of the origin of humanity - such as the story of Adam and Eve. The old myths, however, played a cohesive role in society, and a vital issue for our time is whether or not it is possible to arrive at a scientific understanding of myths which does not misrepresent their social necessity. Joseph Campbell suggests that this will be a psychological analysis of myths, along the lines already sketched out by Carl G. Jung, who advocated a dialogue between inherited myths and modern consciousness.



How can we 'live by' myths today? Can mythic illusions really help to relieve our modern anxiety, or do they help only to foster it? In Myths to Live By, Joseph Campbell demonstrates how particular myths continue to reflect human needs. The horizons dividing the earth have been shattered. Myths, religions included, have always followed the same mythical archetypes and can no longer be exclusive to a people, region f religion. We must recognize their common denominators and allow this knowledge to help us in fulfilling human potentials everywhere.