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A Philosophy of Political Myth

Chiara Bottici author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:5th Aug '10

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

A Philosophy of Political Myth cover

Chiara Bottici argues for a philosophical understanding of political myth, showing that in order to come to terms with contemporary phenomena such as the clash between civilizations, we need a Copernican revolution in political philosophy.In this book, originally published in 2007, Chiara Bottici argues for a philosophical understanding of political myth. Bottici demonstrates that myth is a process, one of continuous work on a basic narrative pattern that responds to a need for significance. Human beings need meaning in order to master the world they live in, but they also need significance in order to live in a world that is less indifferent to them. This is particularly true in the realm of politics. Political myths are narratives through which we orient ourselves, and act and feel about our political world. Bottici shows that in order to come to terms with contemporary phenomena, such as the clash between civilizations, we need a Copernican revolution in political philosophy. If we want to save reason, we need to look at it from the standpoint of myth.

Review of the hardback: '… Bottici has endeavoured to provide a framework within which the study of myth can be usefully developed, and in this she has performed a very useful work of Lockean philosophical underlabouring.' Review of Politics

ISBN: 9780521182751

Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 17mm

Weight: 440g

296 pages