Among the so-called neurotics of our day there are a good…
““Among the so-called neurotics of our day there are a good many who in other ages would not have been neurotic-that is, divided against themselves. If they had lived in a period and in a milieu in which man was still linked by myth with the world of the ancestors, and thus with nature truly experienced and not merely seen from outside, they would have been spared this division with themselves. I am speaking of those who cannot tolerate the loss of myth and who can neither find a way to a merely exterior world, to the world as seen by science, nor rest satisfied with an intellectual juggling with words, which has nothing whatsoever to do with wisdom.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Modern individuals struggle without myth, leading to inner conflict between scientific rationalism and deeper existential meaning.
In simple terms: Loss of myth creates inner division.
Key Takeaway
Seek meaning beyond facts.
Themes
myth
modernity
psychology
Mood
thoughtful
philosophical
Type
psychological
essay
When to use this quote
- education
- therapy
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
existential crisis
cultural disconnection
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal myths could you create?
- How does science alone feel insufficient?
A Different Perspective
Myth can be replaced by personal narratives, but not all find them satisfying.