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The Power of Myth
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The Power of Myth
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MJD
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Oct 25, 2018 07:40AM
Use this thread to discuss The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell.
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I think that the approach that this book takes can be helpful in finding meaning in the supernatural claims of Buddhism without literally believing in the supernatural claims.That is, I think that looking at the non-secular concepts in Buddhism through the lens offered in this book can be helpful in creating secular meaning from them through viewing them as allegories, parables, etc for secular concepts.
I came across the following defense of using myth and allegory to convey truth in Religion, a Dialogue, Etc.: The Essays of Arthur Schopenhauer by Arthur Schopenhauer, which I think sums up a central point of this book well: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/10833..."... truth, which is inexpressible except by means of myth and
allegory, is like water, which can be carried about only in
vessels; a philosopher who insists on obtaining it pure is like a
man who breaks the jug in order to get the water by itself."
Secular Sangha: A Secular Buddhist Group
Books mentioned in this topic
Religion, A Dialogue, Etc.: The Essays Of Arthur Schopenhauer (other topics)The Power of Myth (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
Arthur Schopenhauer (other topics)Joseph Campbell (other topics)
