Is myth a form of thought or is it that which opposes thinking? How does myth create worldviews and engage the emotions? Is myth a universal language or is it a set of cultural dialects? In this seminar myth will be approached from several directions: its classic distinction from logos, its relation to history, its underwriting of ideology, its anthropological applications, and its contemporary uses in advertising. We will consider modern cases of popular myths, in particular the complementary figures of erotic seduction: Carmen (the femme fatale) and Don Juan.
3-5 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit
Is myth a form of thought or is it that which opposes thinking? How does myth create worldviews and engage the emotions? Is myth a universal language or is it a set of cultural dialects? In this seminar myth will be approached from several directions: its classic distinction from logos, its relation to history, its underwriting of ideology, its anthropological applications, and its contemporary uses in advertising. We will consider modern cases of popular myths, in particular the complementary figures of erotic seduction: Carmen (the femme fatale) and Don Juan.
Offered in Winter 2027 at Stanford University.