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The Cry for Myth
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Rollo May, respected therapist and bestselling author of Love and Will, discusses the relationships between myths and the subconscious, showing how myths can provide meaning and structure for those who seek direction in a confused world. Here are case studies in which myths have helped Dr. May's patients make sense out of an often senseless world.
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Paperback, 320 pages
Published
July 1st 1992
by Delta
(first published May 1st 1991)
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Showing 1-30
A powerful book that challenges the notion that myths belong to the past, indeed that advocates the necessity for humanity to have myths to live by, that without myths our lives lose structure and meaning.
I particularly enjoyed the chapters on Dante's Inferno and The Great Gatsby but it was with May's look at the myth of Faust through three sources - Marlowe, Goethe and Thomas Mann - that he brings the great myth of our times to life.
The final chapter on space flight and those first astounding i ...more
I particularly enjoyed the chapters on Dante's Inferno and The Great Gatsby but it was with May's look at the myth of Faust through three sources - Marlowe, Goethe and Thomas Mann - that he brings the great myth of our times to life.
The final chapter on space flight and those first astounding i ...more
This book took me a long time to get through, but in a good way. There are little gems sprinkled throughout that cause a reader to stop and think, and to realize truths in their own life or in life in general.
I didn't award the fifth star because I thought this would would include a prescription for creating myth for ourselves to combat the negative aspects of the mythology of our culture. May did not do this, but I suppose his purpose is to help us see more clearly the world we live in and in s ...more
I didn't award the fifth star because I thought this would would include a prescription for creating myth for ourselves to combat the negative aspects of the mythology of our culture. May did not do this, but I suppose his purpose is to help us see more clearly the world we live in and in s ...more
Podmanivá práca existencialistického psychológa pojednávajúca o nutnosti zachovávať si záujem o mýty a predobrazy. V diele reflektuje dôležitosť literatúry a jej hrdinov, ktorí reprezentujú obrazy tej danej doby. Rollo May píše o osamelosti nastávajúcej v momente, kedy človek zanevrie na svoj intelektuálny a duševný rozvoj. Súkromnou reformou v takejto situácii má byť práve záujem o mýtus definovaný v diele Rolla Maya ako zmysel pre nezmyselný svet. Kniha reaguje na významné kultúrne obdobia dej
...more
Sep 30, 2007
Renie
is currently reading it
Still reading this one and pondering ...myths I knew as a child and heros of my youth ...way back when...heros of today in our culture....what a difference in 40 + years. Who are your heros?
While I found this book to be worth the read, I definitely had a few issues with the author. The biggest one was the unnecessarily alarming tone of the first few chapters. May starts the book by arguing that Myths, which the reader quickly surmises are stories with some human value, are falling from favor and the ills that is causing, i.e., a high suicide rates in the young. However, he then spends the next chapters very ably explaining how myths surround us at all times. From plays, to movies a
...more
Easily added to my list of favorite works. May's perspectives are particularly useful because of his ability to weave philosophy, psychology, history, and literature together to draw holistic perspectives on some of the most curious aspects of the human condition, and particularly on the Western limitations of identity and cultural development. Enlightening, accessible (not too dense), and truly creative. What a fantastic account of a unique mind.
La lectura de este libro me pareció reveladora. Siempre fui aficionada a la mitología, pero no esa idea de que los mitos son mentiras como muchos piensan, sino como arquetipos que ayudan a la psique humana a entenderse y resolverse a través de las historias épicas de las mitologías de todas las culturas. Un interesante texto, especialmente para la gente dedicada al estudio del comportamiento y la psicología humana.
Love it!
"Il Richiamo del Mito" è un affascinante saggio scritto da Rollo May negli anni '90, un periodo piuttosto complesso per gli Stati Uniti che, trovando il nuovo millennio alle porte, non sembrava in grado di fare i conti con la propria identità, con la propria gioventù e con il proprio passato. May si rivolge dunque ai suoi lettori Americani, ma per moltissimi versi a tutto il mondo occidentale, affermando con gentile fermezza l'unica vera causa dei problemi della società: l'inevitabile morte del
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May's 'myth' is that which allows us to find meaning from our existence. It is a symbolic belief system capable of both devastating and blissfully enriching effects. May surveys the human soul with the help of literary classics and the theories of psychoanalysis, blurring the line between truth and fantasy.
It does sometimes feel like Rollo May is awkwardly spinning a thread, thick in some places and thin in others. Part of what made The Cry for Myth enjoyable for me is his heavy use of classic ...more
It does sometimes feel like Rollo May is awkwardly spinning a thread, thick in some places and thin in others. Part of what made The Cry for Myth enjoyable for me is his heavy use of classic ...more
I don't know why I rated this with 4 stars instead of 5, but it's okay. (Edited it to 5 now).
In this book, Rollo explains what is a myth, and differentiates good myths from bad(false) ones (e.g. The Great Gatsby, namely The American dream), there's so much in this book that the people of the current era of thriving technology and A.I. should (if not have to) read and learn about.
In this book, Rollo explains what is a myth, and differentiates good myths from bad(false) ones (e.g. The Great Gatsby, namely The American dream), there's so much in this book that the people of the current era of thriving technology and A.I. should (if not have to) read and learn about.
Enjoyed reading this book. Focus on stories of Peer Gynt, Faust, Briar Rose illustrated use of myth in recent time. Occasional comparison with more traditional societies wherein the use of myth or story is more openly interwoven into daily lives only emphasized that our myths in contemporary society are also being played out deeply but in a less transparent way.
Fascinating discussion on the importance of mythology in our lives and its connection to psychology. I enjoyed this book very much and found it very applicable not only to my life but my study of psychology. This is a must-read for any student of psych or literature. Easy to follow and understand, very enlightening.
The most thought provoking book I have read this year. The author explains so clearly the connection between legend and myth, and the patterns and path of my life. The book links wellspring of ancient wisdom to the present.
Kitap analizleri güzeldi. Doktor faustus ,goethe'nin Faust'u, great gatsby,ilahi komedya,Moby Dick.
Mar 10, 2014
Matt Erickson
is currently reading it
Therapy
I should probably read this again. I don't think I was ready for it when I read it.
Rolly May has an ability to tell stories and distinguish language for great understanding for those who are seeking meaning in our confusing and perturbed world. A very good read.
This one of the best books I have ever read! Rollo May was an enlightened dude !
Excelente. Muchas de sus ideas en mi ensayo: anatomía del misticismo.
LOVE how he connects myths to Psychology. very good read if you like either subject.
Great, great book that connects psychology with myths. May really shed some light on the way I view Western society. Definitely would recommend.
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Rollo May (April 21, 1909 – October 22, 1994) was an American existential psychologist. He authored the influential book Love and Will during 1969.
Although he is often associated with humanistic psychology, his philosophy was influenced strongly by existentialist philosophy. May was a close friend of the theologian Paul Tillich. His works include Love and Will and The Courage to Create, the latter ...more
Although he is often associated with humanistic psychology, his philosophy was influenced strongly by existentialist philosophy. May was a close friend of the theologian Paul Tillich. His works include Love and Will and The Courage to Create, the latter ...more
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“Technology is the knack of so arranging the world that we do not experience it.”
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“It is interesting to note how many of the great scientific discoveries begin as myths.”
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48 likes
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