Theorizing about Myth

by Robert A. Segal

For two hundred years the subject of myth―its origin, function, and significance―has been addressed again and again, first by theologians and philosophers and then by anthropologists, sociologists, and psychologists. From the outset the topic has sparked intense debate, with differing opinions expressed on everything from issues of epistemology and methodology to the meaning of "myth" itself. In this collection of essays, Robert A. Segal surveys the contours of this ongoing discussion, comparing and evaluating the leading theories of myth. Among the theorists discussed are Edward Tylor, William Robertson Smith, James Frazer, Jane Harrison, S. H. Hooke, Mircea Eliade, Rudolf Bultmann, Hans Jonas, Sigmund Freud, C. G. Jung, Joseph Campbell, Claude Lévi-Strauss, and Hans Blumenberg. Author and editor of numerous books and articles in the fields of theories of myth and theories of religion, Segal has developed a reputation as a preeminent proponent of a social-scientific approach to the study of both. The essays in this book represent some of the best of his writing on myth over the past ten years.

Genres: Mythology, Anthropology

216 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1999

Reviews

[Abigail Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm so ready to be done with this class

[Rebecca :D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't let my 2 stars deter you - the issue is not with the quality of the work (although it is slightly outdated now) more it's relevance to my own thesis and my personal animosity towards the psychoanalytical theory of myth.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a little biased because I really like Robert personally. I am probably just granting an extra star because of our personal relationship. Regarding my review, This is an interesting collection of previous published essays by Dr. Segal. Dr. Segal is extremely well read in the theories of myth from the 18th to the 21st centuries. He is particularly well versed in the British theorists that have often been overlooked by other scholars who focus on the Continental theorists. The best essays are his explanations and criticism of Jung and Joseph Campbell. I haven't had Jung's theories of the collective unconscious and the archetypes better explained. His criticism of Joseph Campbell is spot on. He is generally sympathetic but does level some strong criticism of Campbell's lack of rigor. I would read this collection after you have read: Frazer's Golden Bough, Jung's Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious, and the companion book to the PBS series, The Power of Myth, the conversations between Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell.

[Mert · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 Stars (%60/100)

Robert A. Segal’s Theorizing about Myth offers a concise and accessible overview of major approaches to myth, from Freud and Jung to Durkheim and Levi-Strauss. Segal’s clear prose and comparative method make complex theories digestible, though the analysis can sometimes feel more like a survey than a deep engagement. While not groundbreaking, it’s a useful entry point for students and readers interested in the intellectual history of myth studies. There were some really good points.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of essays by Segal relating to the topic of mythology. I haven't read them all, but have enjoyed what I got to. I really enjoyed his Myth: A Very Short Introduction, and enjoyed getting to see some of his more "advanced" scholarly work.

[B · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst, most confusing and incomprehensible piece of text I have ever read. I am genuinely so glad to be done with this and never pick it up again.