O MITO NA SOCIEDADE ATUAL

Summary

In this video, the discussion explores the enduring presence of myth in modern life, contrasting it with the rise of rational thought. Despite the decline of myth in traditional societies, elements of myth persist in contemporary culture through beliefs, fears, desires, and popular expressions like folklore, literature, and even everyday language. The video also highlights how myth still appears in the media, in heroes, and in public figures, influencing societal behavior. It also touches on the dangers of ideological extremes, drawing on examples like the Nazi ideology, while asserting that philosophy’s role is not to destroy myths, but to guide rational progress.

Takeaways

• 😀 Myth has been a part of human life since its origins and continues to influence modern society through beliefs, fears, and desires.
• 😀 Although rational critique has reduced the dominance of myth in contemporary societies, it still persists in various forms such as folklore, literature, and popular culture.
• 😀 Common expressions and symbols like love, freedom, and death still carry rich mythological resonances.
• 😀 Stories in comics, movies, and fairy tales, such as the manichean struggle between good and evil, reflect the enduring power of mythological archetypes.
• 😀 The media plays a significant role in creating modern mythic figures by turning celebrities into symbols of success, power, and attraction.
• 😀 Celebrations like birthdays, weddings, and New Year's Eve, despite being secularized, retain myth-like qualities through their rituals and symbolism.
• 😀 Events like Carnival and football in Brazil reflect collective imagination and unconscious forces in national culture.
• 😀 The concept of manicheanism appears in many societal narratives, simplifying complex issues into binary categories of good vs. evil.
• 😀 The film 'V for Vendetta' exemplifies the use of mythological themes like power, leadership, and the hero's journey in modern media.
• 😀 Philosophical movements, like rational critique, do not aim to destroy myths but to offer new paths based on different assumptions and reasoning.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the script?

The main theme of the script revolves around the role of myth in contemporary life and its persistence in modern culture, despite the rise of rational thinking and philosophy.

How does the script define the relationship between myth and rational criticism?

The script suggests that while myth has been an essential part of human life since its origins, rational criticism allows individuals to legitimize or reject myths when they dehumanize us.

What is meant by the 'death of mythical consciousness' in the script?

The 'death of mythical consciousness' refers to the decline of the myth's dominance in modern society due to the rise of rational, critical thinking, but it does not mean the myth has completely disappeared.

How does the script explain the persistence of myth in contemporary culture?

Myth persists in modern culture through various forms such as folklore, literature, popular stories, and even daily expressions. Myths continue to shape our beliefs, fears, and desires.

What examples are given in the script to show the presence of myth in everyday life?

The script cites examples such as mythical words like 'home,' 'love,' 'freedom,' and 'death,' as well as stories in comics, films, soap operas, and fairy tales that reflect the battle between good and evil.

What role do media and famous personalities play in the modern manifestation of myth?

The media contributes to the mythological narrative by transforming public figures such as artists, politicians, and athletes into symbols of success, power, leadership, and attraction, reflecting modern myths.

How are popular cultural events like Carnival and football connected to the mythological imagination?

Carnival and football in Brazil are seen as collective expressions of national identity, infused with unconscious forces and symbolism, connecting them to the broader realm of myth and imagination.

What is the meaning of 'manichaeism' in the context of the script?

In the script, 'manichaeism' refers to a simplistic dichotomy where something or someone is either wholly good or wholly evil, often reflected in myths, particularly in stories where good triumphs over evil.

How does the script critique the use of myth in ideologies like Nazism?

The script critiques how racist ideologies like Nazism exploit myth by creating false narratives about racial purity, leading to violence and genocide. It emphasizes that such myths are unfounded and harmful.

What is the significance of the movie 'V for Vendetta' in relation to the script's themes?

The movie 'V for Vendetta' is used as an example of modern myths, where the protagonist exhibits qualities found in mythical figures like power, leadership, and heroism, reflecting the persistence of the mythical imagination in contemporary narratives.