TY - BOOK AU - Bouchard,Gérard TI - Social myths and collective imaginaries SN - 9781442625730 AV - BL304 .B6813 2017eb U1 - 201/.3 23 PY - 2017///] CY - Toronto, Buffalo, London PB - University of Toronto Press KW - Myth KW - Social representations KW - Mythe KW - Représentations sociales KW - BODY, MIND & SPIRIT KW - Gaia & Earth Energies KW - bisacsh KW - RELIGION KW - Christianity KW - General KW - fast KW - SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / General KW - Electronic books N1 - Translation of: Raison et déraison du mythe; Includes bibliographical references (pages 149-170) and index; Myths and collective imaginaries -- What is a social myth? -- The mythification process -- The conditions for the effectiveness of myth -- Social myths : a pyramidal structure N2 - "Western or Eastern, ancient or modern, religious or scientific, myths are strikingly underestimated forces in contemporary society. In our rational, enlightened and supposedly civilized society myths have come to be perceived as the exclusive attribute of so-called pre-modern societies. In Social Myths and Collective Imaginaries, Gérard Bouchard conceptualizes myths as vessels of sacred values that transcend the division between primitive and modern. These vessels become so influential as to make an indelible impression on people's minds. We may no longer speak of Aphrodite or Gilgamesh but freedom, equality, social justice, environmentalism, democracy and nationalism are sacred values in our world. Nobody would deny that equality for all citizens in France, the right to property in the United States, or racial equality in South Africa are sacrosanct. Bouchard's refreshing and startling analysis reveals that as a sociological mechanism, myths have the power to bring societies together as well as tear themapart. In his own way, Bouchard awakens us to the transcendent power of myth that affects our daily lives, frequently unbeknownst to us."-- UR - http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=1515334 UR - http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&AN=1515334 ER -