A Philosophy of Political Myth

by Chiara Bottici

In this book, Chiara Bottici argues for a philosophical understanding of political myth. Bottici shows that myth is a process, one of continuous work on a basic narrative pattern that responds to a need for significance. Human beings need meaning in order to master the world they live in, but they also need significance in order to live in a world that is less indifferent to them. This is particularly true in the realm of politics. Political myths are narratives through which we orient ourselves, and act and feel about our political world. Bottici shows that in order to come to terms with contemporary phenomena, such as the clash between civilizations, we need a Copernican revolution in political philosophy. If we want to save reason, we need to look at it from the standpoint of myth.

Genres: Philosophy, Politics

294 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2007

Reviews

[Pietro · Rating 5 out of 5]

La professoressa Bottici si destreggia benecon il metodo della genealogia nietzschiana. Forse un pò troppo. Il libro prende vita nella seconda parte quando affronta il mito nell'età contemporanea: questa ultima parte, secondo me, avrebbe dovuto essere più corposa. Il libro però è ben fatto.

[Una · Rating 4 out of 5]

Izklaidējoša un apskaidrojoša grāmata ar eirēkas brīžiem. Lieliska, izvērsta ievada daļa par mītu teorijas vēsturi. Ļoti skaidrs, labi strukturēts teksts. Mazliet kaitināja autores pieņēmums, ka es saprotu jebkurā valodā iestarpinātus vārdus vai frāzes tik ilgi, kamēr tie attiecas uz filozofiju. Un vietām man tie ūdeņi tiešām bija par dziļu vai mati (skaldāmie) par smalku.