Science of Mythology provides an account of the meaning and the purpose of mythic themes that is linked to modern life: the heroic battles between good and evil of yore are still played out, reflected in contemporary fears.
When Carl Jung and Carl Kerenyi got together to collaborate on this book, their aim was to elevate the study of mythology to a science. Kerenyi wrote on two of the most ubiquitous myths, the Divine Child and The Maiden, supporting the core 'stories' with both an introduction and a conclusion. Jung then provided a psychological analysis of both myths. He defined myth as a story about heroes interacting with the gods. Having long studied dreams and the subconscious, Jung identified certain dream patterns common to everyone. These 'archetypes' have developed through the centuries, and enable modern people to react to situations in much the same way as our ancestors. From nuclear annihilation to AIDS and Ebola, we continue to engage the gods in battle. Science of Mythology provides an account of the meaning and the purpose of mythic themes that is linked to modern life: the heroic battles between good and evil of yore are still played out, reflected in contemporary fears.
'Jung was probably the most significant original thinker of the twentieth century.' - Kathleen Raine'There is an abundance of interesting and occasionally suggestive detail ... and beyond all this there is the undeniable importance and fascination of the question of the archetypes which Jung puts before us.' - Sewanee Review'It shows how two disciplines can be brought together to indicate further syntheses. The mythological material presented is excellent and the book will repay reading on this account alone.' - British Journal of medical Psychology'He taught himself and men how to read the language of dreams as if they were the forgotten language of the gods themselves.' - Laurens van der Post'It shows how two disciplines can be brought together to indicate further syntheses. The mythological material presented is excellent and the book will repay reading on this account alone.' - Michael Fordham, co-editor of The Collected Works of C.G. Jung
