Are Myths Valuable?

[Alan V]

I would posit that the balancing act (benefits vs. risks vs. resources; stability vs. responsiveness; open vs. closed; performance vs. conformance; control vs. alignment etc.) is what it means to be human.

In other words, reason.

Given what I have previously read of what you have posted, I would like to hear your short answer first. That way I can see if I understand it well enough to hear your long answer. I most likely wouldn't understand your even longer answer at all.

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I mean something more like C.G. Jung meant. Jung thought that by examining ancient myths, one may find profound truths concerning the "inner reality" of the human psyche. Do you agree with Jung here?

I don't agree with Jung.  I suspect it's mindgames all the way down.

Can you give us an example of what you consider a valuable myth?  I think it might be helpful to work from specific examples.

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I know Freud is out of fashion these days, but I don't think anyone's put a dent in the basic thesis of his Civilization and its Discontents.

We have two unavoidable and irreconcilable parts. We are animals with animal needs, irrational and limitless, and we need society based on limits and safety. Both are completely necessary to be human, and there is no way to balance them in any lasting way.

But our animal needs are limited, in the sense that if we can satisfy them within a limited amount of time each day, we have the rest of the day free for other activities. They are really just endless as long as we are alive, which is not the same thing. That's how they can be reconciled with the demands of society, as we all know from personal experience.

So no, I don't agree with Freud either.