The Presence of Myth
9780226450575
9780226222257
The Presence of Myth
"[An] important essay by a philosopher who more convincingly than any other I can think of demonstrates the continuing significance of his vocation in the life of our culture."—Karsten Harries, The New York Times Book Review
With The Presence of Myth, Kolakowski demonstrates that no matter how hard man strives for purely rational thought, there has always been-and always will be-a reservoir of mythical images that lend "being" and "consciousness" a specifically human meaning.
"Kolakowski undertakes a philosophy of culture which extends to all realms of human intercourse—intellectual, artistic, scientific, and emotional. . . . [His] book has real significance for today, and may well become a classic in the philosophy of culture."—Anglican Theological Review
With The Presence of Myth, Kolakowski demonstrates that no matter how hard man strives for purely rational thought, there has always been-and always will be-a reservoir of mythical images that lend "being" and "consciousness" a specifically human meaning.
"Kolakowski undertakes a philosophy of culture which extends to all realms of human intercourse—intellectual, artistic, scientific, and emotional. . . . [His] book has real significance for today, and may well become a classic in the philosophy of culture."—Anglican Theological Review
Table of Contents
Preface to the English Edition
Preface
1. Preliminary Distinctions
2. Myth within the Epistemological Inquiry
3. Myth in the Realm of Values
4. Myth in Logic
5. THe Mythical Sense of Love
6. Myth, Existence, Freedom
7. Myth and the Contingency of Nature
8. The Phenomenon of the World’s Indifference
9. Myth in the Culture of Analgesics
10. The Permanence and Fragility of Myth
11. Conclusion
Index of Names
Preface
1. Preliminary Distinctions
2. Myth within the Epistemological Inquiry
3. Myth in the Realm of Values
4. Myth in Logic
5. THe Mythical Sense of Love
6. Myth, Existence, Freedom
7. Myth and the Contingency of Nature
8. The Phenomenon of the World’s Indifference
9. Myth in the Culture of Analgesics
10. The Permanence and Fragility of Myth
11. Conclusion
Index of Names