The Science of Mythology

When Carl Jung and Carl Kerenyi got together to collaborate on this book, their aim was to elevate the study of mythology to a science. Kerenyi wrote on two of the most ubiquitous myths, the Divine Child and The Maiden, supporting the core 'stories' with both an introduction and a conclusion. Jung then provided a psychological analysis of both myths. He defined myth as a story about heroes interacting with the gods. Having long studied dreams and the subconscious, Jung identified certain dream patterns common to everyone. These 'archetypes' have developed through the centuries, and enable modern people to react to situations in much the same way as our ancestors. From nuclear annihilation to AIDS and Ebola, we continue to engage the gods in battle. Science of Mythology provides an account of the meaning and the purpose of mythic themes that is linked to modern life: the heroic battles between good and evil of yore are still played out, reflected in contemporary fears.

Table of Contents

Editorial Note Prolegomena, by C. Kerényi 1 The Primordial Child in Primordial Times, by C. Kerényi 1. Child gods 2. The orphan child 3. A Vogul god 4. Kullervo 5. Narayana 6. Apollo 7. Hermes 8. Zeus 9. Dionysus 2 The Psychology of the Child Archetype, by C. G. Jung I. Introduction II. The psychology of the child archetype 1. The archetype as a link with the past 2. The function of the archetype 3. The futurity of the archetype 4. Unity and plurality of the child-motif 5. Child-god and child-hero III. The special phenomenology of the child archetype 1. The abandonment of the child 2. The invincibility of the child 3. The hermaphroditism of the child 4. The child as beginning and end IV. Conclusion 3 Kore, by C. Kerényi 1. Anadyomene 2. The paradox of the mythological idea 3. Maiden-goddesses 4. Hecate 5. Demeter 6. Persephone 7. Indonesian Kore figures 8. The Kore in Eleusis 9. The Eleusinian paradox 4 The Psychological Aspects of the Kore, by C. G. Jung 1. Case X 2. Case Y 3. Case Z. Epilegomena: The Miracle of Eleusis, References Cited; Index