Please tell me these exchanges will be published in a book form in the future. My father, who doesn’t use a computer, needs to follow this discussion. Love you both!
Wow! You just explained the Left in one fell swoop. Jung saw what was happening in Germany when Naziism was taking over and felt it was the taking over of the minds of the German people by the old German myths of Valhalla and the old Germanic gods. Irrational tyrannical movements on both sides appear to be united by myth. Now it makes sense why Leftists can’t and won’t have debates. Debates require a conceptual framework of reality. If someone is operating on the basis of myth, rational argument is not possible. This reinforces my view of politics not actually being right or left on a continuum but rather as a circle. The truth/reality is the top of the circle and the more “mythic” and ultimately delusional on both sides move toward the bottom of the circle into the totalitarian and demonic.
Jung had good reason to feel Germany slipping back into its old myths. For decades, the idea of Lebensraum filled many a German imagination. It was, in part, fueled by the epic music of Wagner, such as his famous Ride of the Valkyries, from The Ring of Nibelung, and the geographer, Ratzel, who is said to have coined the term.
As I stiffle my delighted squeel I have to say that this point reminds me also of Rene Girard’s idea of myth being the disguise of the scapegoat mechanism. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard at least one if not both of you mention Girard in the past as well. While there is plenty to be gleaned from myth, plenty to study and enjoy in the long weaving attempt of humanity to find truth - spiritual truth especially - we must remember that there is only one true fulfillment, only one TRUE ‘myth’ - Jesus Christ who exposed the mythic and mimetic mechanism as Girard explains
I found a deep Truth in this piece. I’m incredibly grateful to have had the privilege of reading it.
One thing I’ve noticed after reluctantly submitted to the God hypothesis — via a death by a thousand Lewisian paper-cuts — is that there are a multitude of partial, informal, arguments for theism. (Not to mention that uniquely pesky case of theism: Christianity). However, such cases always fall short of fully proving Him in a check-mate sense, even in their culmination. Nonetheless, each scores a compelling “hit” on the Unsinkable Carrier in our game of metaphysical Battleship.
I keep learning on every letter between you two fine people. I am a Joseph Campbell 'fan" in the larger sense. I did not realize that he made anti-semitic comments or was possibly an antisemite. This has saddened me to no end, and I'll enjoy my London Fog tea a little less than with the usual gusto this morning. Putting that childish thing aside, that I could read this and see that the 'Power of Myth' isn't the end, but a beginning, is a whole new world for this 30-year veteran high school English teacher. So, I suppose I've got to back to school.
An odd comment here or there does not make someone an antisemite. Terms can permeate a society, being in general use without their users understanding where they came from. Terms, such as to “Jew” someone down, simply meant to get the best price, but came from a perceived penchant of Jews to haggle. Hardly anyone who says, “Beyond the Pale,” understands what an offensive term that can be to some of the Irish. The Pale was the region immediately around Dublin. Anything outside the region, or beyond the Pale, was considered wild, including the people, making them a bit less than human to the Norman-English overlords. I’m Irish, but it doesn’t bother me, because people today don’t mean it the way the English meant it. Yet, it’s still a slight.
Mr. Klavan was actually defending Campbell, with his comment on him being an early victim of what came to be cancel culture.
I'm blown away by the deep thinking and spiritual insights between these two men. I also love the humor and lovable sarcasm. Lastly, the readers' comments are thought -provoking as well. Win-win...best subscription ever.
Fun fact, thare is the word “kermode” which is a native American name for spirit bear - black bears with very light or cinnamon colored fur.
On the somewhat more serious side, riffing a bit on Drew’s theme of the day. Christianity, at its best- which is indeed good - is about freedom and continual spiritual growth. To which point, in my estimation, allows for a reasonable amount of speculation within and questioning by both the faithful and doubters.
Please tell me these exchanges will be published in a book form in the future. My father, who doesn’t use a computer, needs to follow this discussion. Love you both!
And mythic thinking is a result of the Fall, from which there is no escape except through, with, and in Jesus.
Wow! You just explained the Left in one fell swoop. Jung saw what was happening in Germany when Naziism was taking over and felt it was the taking over of the minds of the German people by the old German myths of Valhalla and the old Germanic gods. Irrational tyrannical movements on both sides appear to be united by myth. Now it makes sense why Leftists can’t and won’t have debates. Debates require a conceptual framework of reality. If someone is operating on the basis of myth, rational argument is not possible. This reinforces my view of politics not actually being right or left on a continuum but rather as a circle. The truth/reality is the top of the circle and the more “mythic” and ultimately delusional on both sides move toward the bottom of the circle into the totalitarian and demonic.
Jung had good reason to feel Germany slipping back into its old myths. For decades, the idea of Lebensraum filled many a German imagination. It was, in part, fueled by the epic music of Wagner, such as his famous Ride of the Valkyries, from The Ring of Nibelung, and the geographer, Ratzel, who is said to have coined the term.
As I stiffle my delighted squeel I have to say that this point reminds me also of Rene Girard’s idea of myth being the disguise of the scapegoat mechanism. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard at least one if not both of you mention Girard in the past as well. While there is plenty to be gleaned from myth, plenty to study and enjoy in the long weaving attempt of humanity to find truth - spiritual truth especially - we must remember that there is only one true fulfillment, only one TRUE ‘myth’ - Jesus Christ who exposed the mythic and mimetic mechanism as Girard explains
I found a deep Truth in this piece. I’m incredibly grateful to have had the privilege of reading it.
One thing I’ve noticed after reluctantly submitted to the God hypothesis — via a death by a thousand Lewisian paper-cuts — is that there are a multitude of partial, informal, arguments for theism. (Not to mention that uniquely pesky case of theism: Christianity). However, such cases always fall short of fully proving Him in a check-mate sense, even in their culmination. Nonetheless, each scores a compelling “hit” on the Unsinkable Carrier in our game of metaphysical Battleship.
I keep learning on every letter between you two fine people. I am a Joseph Campbell 'fan" in the larger sense. I did not realize that he made anti-semitic comments or was possibly an antisemite. This has saddened me to no end, and I'll enjoy my London Fog tea a little less than with the usual gusto this morning. Putting that childish thing aside, that I could read this and see that the 'Power of Myth' isn't the end, but a beginning, is a whole new world for this 30-year veteran high school English teacher. So, I suppose I've got to back to school.
An odd comment here or there does not make someone an antisemite. Terms can permeate a society, being in general use without their users understanding where they came from. Terms, such as to “Jew” someone down, simply meant to get the best price, but came from a perceived penchant of Jews to haggle. Hardly anyone who says, “Beyond the Pale,” understands what an offensive term that can be to some of the Irish. The Pale was the region immediately around Dublin. Anything outside the region, or beyond the Pale, was considered wild, including the people, making them a bit less than human to the Norman-English overlords. I’m Irish, but it doesn’t bother me, because people today don’t mean it the way the English meant it. Yet, it’s still a slight.
Mr. Klavan was actually defending Campbell, with his comment on him being an early victim of what came to be cancel culture.
Thanks for that. I understood.
I'm blown away by the deep thinking and spiritual insights between these two men. I also love the humor and lovable sarcasm. Lastly, the readers' comments are thought -provoking as well. Win-win...best subscription ever.
Fun fact, thare is the word “kermode” which is a native American name for spirit bear - black bears with very light or cinnamon colored fur.
On the somewhat more serious side, riffing a bit on Drew’s theme of the day. Christianity, at its best- which is indeed good - is about freedom and continual spiritual growth. To which point, in my estimation, allows for a reasonable amount of speculation within and questioning by both the faithful and doubters.
I’m still following but you’re on thin ice after your last letter!