The Myths We Live By (Routledge Classics) Book + PRICE WATCH * Amazon pricing is not included in price watch

The Myths We Live By (Routledge Classics) Book

The Myths We Live By, by moral philosopher Mary Midgley, is a collection of articles dealing with the importance of symbolism in all our thought and the subsequent need to take our imaginative life seriously. Myths are not lies, she claims, they are not diverting stories, nor do they contrast with something apparently more solid such as "objective scientific truth". Myths and symbols are more like the things we think with. They suggest particular ways of interpreting the world. Those familiar with Midgely's excellent Science and Poetry will recognise a continuing interest in how some of our most powerful myths (the myth of the social contract, of social atomism, of progress) are understood via the metaphorical light of recent technologies-—the telescope, the microscope, the computer—-in ways that are no longer useful to our present needs. The familiar contrastive ways of thinking (hard/soft, higher/lower, mind/body, inside/outside, heaven/earth, appearance/reality, objective/subjective, science/poetry) useful as they have been, can also be the prison-houses of thought, keeping us bound to one of the most powerful and misleading myths of all--the myth of science as omnicompetent method. When thinking about Mary Midgley it pays to compare her with Richard Dawkins. Dawkins approaches his subject with something like cosmic awe. He is the poet-priest of science who writes with an irresistibly powerful appreciation of the wonder and poetic beauty of nature. But Midgeley takes issue with just the sort of scientist-as-priest he might be: the sort of person who thinks that "science is the only way to know the real world", that evidence-based beliefs are the only ones worth having, that religious beliefs are cowardly and irrational and that science is the "hard" king of the disciplines. Midgley, by contrast, maps culture in an entirely different way. She shows us that there are different ways of looking at the world, different sources of knowledge that all have their place depending on what it is we want to know. Midgley shows us a way to end the contest of the faculties without giving the victory to one discipline or another and this makes her one of the most important thinker-about-thinking philosophers in the country. In Midgley's map of the intellectual landscape there are no priests and the world looks a more interesting place because of it. Try comparing Dawkins' discussion of science and romantic poetry (Unweaving the Rainbow) with any of Midgley's recent offerings. --Larry BrownRead More

from£15.95 | RRP: £15.99
* Excludes Voucher Code Discount Also available Used from £14.62
  • Amazon

    Paperback. Pub Date :2011-04-04 Pages: 278 Language: English Publisher: Routledge Myths. as Mary Midgley argues in this powerful book. are everywhere. In political thought they sit at the heart of theories of human nature and the social contract ; in economics in the pursuit of self interest; and in science the idea of ??human beings as machines. which originates in the seventeenth century. is a today a potent force. Far from being the opposite of science. however. Midgley argues that myth is a central part of it. Myths are neither lies nor mere stories but a network of powerful symbols for interpreting the world. Tackling a dazzling array of subjects such as philosophy. evolutionary psychology. animals. consciousness and the environment in her customary razor-sharp prose . The Myths We Live By reminds us of the powerful role of symbolism and the need to take our imaginative...

  • Foyles

    With a new Introduction by the author'An elegant and sane little book. – The New StatesmanMyths, as Mary Midgley argues in this powerful book, are everywhere. In political thought they sit at the heart of theories of human nature and the social contract; in economics in the pursuit of self interest; and in science the idea of human beings as machines, which originates in the seventeenth century, is a today a potent force. Far from being the opposite of science, however, Midgley argues that myth is a central part of it. Myths are neither lies nor mere stories but a network of powerful symbols for interpreting the world. Tackling a dazzling array of subjects such as philosophy, evolutionary psychology, animals, consciousness and the environment in her customary razor-sharp prose, The Myths We Live By reminds us of the powerful role of symbolism and the need to take our imaginative life seriously. Mary Midgley is a moral philosopher and the author of many books including Wickedness, Evolution as a Religion, Beast and Man and Science and Poetry. All are published in Routledge Classics.

  • Blackwell

    Originally published: 2004. With new foreword. With a new Introduction by the author 'An elegant and sane little book. - The New Statesman Myths, as Mary Midgley argues in this powerful book, are everywhere. In political thought they sit at the...

  • BookDepository

    The Myths We Live By : Paperback : Taylor & Francis Ltd : 9780415610247 : 0415610249 : 14 Jun 2011 : Mary Midgley argues in this powerful book that, far from being the opposite of science, myth is a central part of it.

  • 0415610249
  • 9780415610247
  • Mary Midgley
  • 4 April 2011
  • Routledge
  • Paperback (Book)
  • 296
  • Reprint
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. If you click through any of the links below and make a purchase we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Click here to learn more.

Would you like your name to appear with the review?

We will post your book review within a day or so as long as it meets our guidelines and terms and conditions. All reviews submitted become the licensed property of www.find-book.co.uk as written in our terms and conditions. None of your personal details will be passed on to any other third party.

All form fields are required.