Work on Myth

by Hans Blumenberg

In this rich examination of how we inherit and transform myths, Hans Blumenberg continues his study of the philosophical roots of the modern world. Work on Myth is in five parts. The first two analyze the characteristics of myth and the stages in the West's work on myth, including long discussions of such authors as Freud, Joyce, Cassirer, and Valéry. The latter three parts present a comprehensive account of the history of the Prometheus myth, from Hesiod and Aeschylus to Gide and Kafka. This section includes a detailed analysis of Goethe's lifelong confrontation with the Prometheus myth, which is a unique synthesis of "psychobiography" and history of ideas. Work on Myth is included in the series Studies in Contemporary German Social Thought, edited by Thomas McCarthy.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, German Literature, Mythology, History, 20th Century, Germany

727 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Hans Blumenberg (1920-1996) was a prominent German philosopher, known for his work in intellectual history and phenomenology. He is best remembered for his development of "metaphorology," a method that investigates the role of metaphors in shaping human thought, particularly in philosophy and culture. Blumenberg's most famous works include The Legitimacy of the Modern Age (1966) and The Genesis of the Copernican World (1975), where he explored the historical and philosophical implications of metaphors and their transformative effects on human understanding.
Born in Lübeck, Germany, Blumenberg's career spanned several prestigious academic positions, including professorships at the University of Hamburg, University of Gießen, and University of Münster. His intellectual contributions deeply influenced fields such as philosophy, literary studies, and history of ideas. He was particularly concerned with how philosophical concepts were deeply intertwined with metaphors and how these shaped the intellectual trajectories of entire periods, like the Renaissance or the Enlightenment.
Blumenberg's work focused not only on philosophy but also on the philosophy of technology, language, and aesthetics, drawing from a broad range of sources, including phenomenology, historical analysis, and myth theory. His exploration of "absolute metaphors" — ideas that transcend their original metaphorical contexts and become integral to philosophical and cultural systems — marked a major contribution to postwar German thought.

Reviews

[Michael Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is the best reason I can find for reading this book:

"the author undertakes...the task of overcoming the antithesis between scientific rationality and mythical thinking...extracting from the Enlightenment its kernel of truth and from the Romantic movement the same kernel of truth...the desire to make human existence possible." (page viii)

Taken separately each movement makes human existence impossible.

[Katie Brennan · Rating 2 out of 5]

started out 4-star strong, focusing on the origin of myth as intimately tied to reason and man's need to make legible the world around him. turned to goethe and his lifelong dealings with the prometheus myth, and then sputtered and died.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s some very valuable material at the beginning about how myth (broadly speaking) is an inherent psychological response to collective fear, giving shape to the unknown and thereby defanging it. I was a bit disappointed that so much of the book is narrowly focused on the ancient Greek myths and modern Christianity, not to mention on defending the latter as rational and literally true.

[Patrycja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author goes in circles to get the reader where he wants them to be, but he uses so many references and sources, that it is difficult to truly get what is happening in the text. It is valuable for sure.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

the nether that is neither origin nor end.

[Joseph King · Rating 2 out of 5]

Una explicación del mito a través de la relación homoerótica de Goethe, Napoleón y el autor como voyeur. Pasado el primer cuarto del libro, no solo se me hizo cuesta arriba, sino que Sísifo me adelantó por la izquierda. Ante la falta de ideas claras en medio de 800 referencias a Prometeo, quizá una versión depurada de ejemplos y anécdotas discutiblemente relevantes me habría ahorrado pasear este libro todo el verano. El manejo de las fuentes impresiona, pero hay muy poco contenido que me merezca la pena. No lo recomiendo más que como práctica de tolerancia al aburrimiento.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favourite Blumenberg; Shipwreck with Spectator is a more rewarding read.

[Alfred Ingmår · Rating 3 out of 5]

Läste första femtedelen. Finns en del intressant, kanske återvänder.