
Where Do Myths Come From? What Is Their Function And What Do They Mean? In This Very Short Introduction Robert Segal Introduces The Array Of Approaches Used To Understand The Study Of Myth. These Approaches Hail From Disciplines As Varied As Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Literary Criticism, Philosophy, Science, And Religious Studies. Including Ideas From Theorists As Varied As Sigmund Freud, Claude Lévi-strauss, Albert Camus, And Roland Barthes, Segal Uses The Famous Ancient Myth Of Adonis To Analyse Their Individual Approaches And Theories. In This New Edition, He Not Only Considers The Future Study Of Myth, But Also Considers The Interactions Of Myth Theory With Cognitive Science, The Implications Of The Myth Of Gaia, And The Differences Between Story-telling And Myth. About The Series: The Very Short Introductions Series From Oxford University Press Contains Hundreds Of Titles In Almost Every Subject Area. These Pocket-sized Books Are The Perfect Way To Get Ahead In A New Subject Quickly. Our Expert Authors Combine Facts, Analysis, Perspective, New Ideas, And Enthusiasm To Make Interesting And Challenging Topics Highly Readable.
What is the origin, function, and meaning of myth within human culture and intellectual history? Robert Segal, a scholar specializing in the study of myth, synthesizes diverse theoretical frameworks to explain how various disciplines interpret mythological narratives. By applying these competing theories to the specific myth of Adonis, he provides a comparative analysis that clarifies the distinct methodologies used by thinkers ranging from Freud to Lévi-Strauss.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Experts recognize this work as a concise, high-level entry point for students and general readers interested in the academic study of mythology. Readers frequently note the clarity with which Segal navigates complex theoretical debates, making it a standard introductory text in the field.
Page Count:
176
Publication Date:
2015-01-01
Publisher:
Oup Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191037680
ISBN-13:
9780191037689
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