Intro
In this episode of “The Philosopher’s Zone,” the focus is on the relationship between philosophy and myth. The Anzac myth, the role of myth in public life, and the redefinition of myth during the Enlightenment period are some of the topics explored. The episode delves into the different senses of myth, the criticisms against myths in politics, and the use of myth by philosophers like Plato. Join us as we unravel the complexities of philosophy and myth.
Main Takeaways
Myth and Identity
- The Anzac myth is a powerful and mysterious narrative that undergirds Australian identity.
The Enlightenment and Myth
- Plato was a myth-maker and celebrated as such, but the European Enlightenment brought a more skeptical re-evaluation of myth.
- The concept of myth began to be redefined during the Enlightenment period due to historical and cultural forces.
- The quarrel between the ancients and moderns brought into question the merits of the mythological repertoire.
- The discovery of the new world expanded the genre of myth beyond the Greco-Roman tradition.
- The rise of natural sciences gave people different ideas about the passage of time and progress, leading to a narrative of civilizational progress moving away from myth towards enlightenment.
Criticisms Against Myths in Politics
- Dealing with myths in the sense of thick narratives or frameworks of meaning is not a matter of simply debunking them with facts.
- Political theorists are wary of the role of myth in public life.
- Epistemic arguments against myths include the obstruction of criticism and diversity of opinions crucial to democracy.
- Deliberative arguments against myths include the obstruction of discourse and erosion of individual autonomy and integrity.
- The association between Nazi ideology and propaganda with myths became a self-evident argument against tolerating myths in the political sphere.
Philosophy and Myth
- Popper sees Plato’s myth of metals as an exact counterpart to the Nazi myth of blood and soil.
- Popper’s notion of an open society versus a closed society is a difference in cultures of knowledge.
- In a closed society, myths are taken for granted and passed down from elite manipulators to the public.
- Nietzsche criticizes Plato for tipping the balance between Dionysian and Apollonian elements of culture in an unhealthily one-sided direction.
- Plato’s use of myth is complementary rather than antithetical to his critical reasoning.
- The myth of metals appears in the Republic as a tool for sorting potential candidates for philosophical training.
- The myth of metals describes a gestation followed by a birth, redefining what it means to have a fixed nature.
- Socrates’ myth of metals proposes that educated nature rather than biological nature is the new definition of nature.
- The myth of metals is considered a noble lie, but the idea of falsehoods being propagated by a ruling elite raises concerns about propaganda.
- Plato believes in correctness, but Karl Popper critiques the idea of an objective standard for what is noble.
- The instrumental use of myth becomes propaganda when an objective standard is not present, and an elite group cynically deploys falsehoods.
- The possibility is suggested that philosophers are not standing outside the lie and using the myth to think through something of common concern and re-conceptualize foundational frameworks for meaning.
Summary
Myth and Identity
The Anzac myth holds a significant place in Australian identity, serving as a powerful and mysterious narrative that shapes the collective consciousness.
The Enlightenment and Myth
The European Enlightenment brought a more skeptical re-evaluation of myth, challenging the traditional understanding of myth in the Greco-Roman tradition. The discovery of the new world and the rise of natural sciences further expanded the genre of myth, leading to a narrative of civilizational progress moving away from myth towards enlightenment.
Criticisms Against Myths in Politics
Political theorists are cautious about the role of myth in public life, as myths can obstruct criticism, diversity of opinions, discourse, and individual autonomy and integrity. The association between Nazi ideology and propaganda with myths serves as a strong argument against tolerating myths in the political sphere.
Philosophy and Myth
Philosophers like Plato have utilized myth as a complementary tool to their critical reasoning. Plato’s myth of metals, for example, redefines the concept of nature and proposes educated nature as the new definition. However, the instrumental use of myth can become propaganda when an objective standard is absent, raising concerns about the manipulation of falsehoods by ruling elites.
Conclusion
The relationship between philosophy and myth is complex and multifaceted. While myths hold a significant place in shaping identity and narratives, their role in politics and the potential for manipulation and propaganda are points of contention. Philosophers like Plato have used myth as a tool for reimagining foundational frameworks of meaning, but the ethical implications of falsehoods propagated by ruling elites require careful consideration. Exploring the interplay between philosophy and myth allows us to delve into the depths of human understanding and the construction of knowledge.
