Research Catalog

Title

The master-myth of modern society : a sketch of the scientific worldview and its psycho-social effects / G. Marian Kinget.

Author

Kinget, G. Marian, 1910-

Publication

Lanham, Md. : University Press of America, ©2000.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xxvii, 56 pages; 23 cm

Summary

The Master-Myth of Modern Society extends the late Dr. Kinget's life work as professor, psychotherapist, and author. Defining myth as a perennial psycho-social phenomenon that expresses an internal compulsion towards understanding the unknown, Kinget, one of the original humanistic psychologists, argues that the rhetoric, ideology, and mystique surrounding modern science constitutes the "master-myth" of our times. She evaluates "science as myth" in terms of both its beneficial effects and its debilitating qualities. Along these lines, Kinget views the notion of objectivity as an essential element of this myth, noting that the questions we ask and the answers we seek are constantly being reconstructed according to spiritual need. With a bibliography of time-honored authors, this short work can serve as a springboard for further exploration of human beings' traditional and modern mentality as expressed in myths, society, religion, and psychological queries. Relevant for understanding contemporary society, this book will be of value to students of psychology, sociology, anthropology, and integrated social sciences.

Subject

• Psychoanalysis
• Myth > Psychology
• Social psychology
• Psychoanalysis
• Mythology > psychology
• Psychology, Social
• psychoanalysis
• social psychology
• Social psychology
• Myth > Psychology
• Psychanalyse et mythologie
• Mythe > Aspect psychologique

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. [53]-56).

Contents

1. Myth as story and myth as fact -- 2. The empirical vs. the literary approach to myth -- PART ONE: The Nature and Function of Myth -- 1. What myth is not -- 2. The essence of myth -- 3. Life-affirming vs. debilitating myths -- 4. Can man live without myths? -- PART TWO: The Myth of the Scientific Worldview -- 1. The master-myth -- 2. Myth of objectivity -- 3. The myth-of-no-myth -- PART THREE: Effects Upon the Individual and Society -- 1. "The well-adjusted man without problems" -- 2. Diminished man -- 3. Reducing persons to products -- 4. Substituting I-It connections for I-Thou relations -- PART FOUR: The Promise of Psychology -- 1. Myth forever? -- 2. "Psychic life survives its own eclipse" -- 3. The promise of psychology -- Conclusion: From Code-Centered to Care-Centered.

ISBN

• 0761815708
• 9780761815709

LCCN

99051511

OCLC

• ocm42680366
• 42680366
• SCSB-962896

Owning Institutions

Princeton University Library