Mythology of the Nation (Modern Western Thought Library)

Author: (German) Cassirer
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-07-01
Features: This book is the last academic work by the renowned German thinker Ernst Cassirer. The author begins by analyzing the mythological complex in the collective consciousness of humanity, reviews the history of state theory, and conducts an in-depth analysis of the contemporary era. The author particularly delves into the British scholar Carlyle's theory of hero worship, exploring the emergence of new cult-like concepts in the sense of race and geo-politics. This theoretical discussion has remained influential across multiple disciplines for a long time. The Myth of the State can be considered a companion piece to, or the third part of, An Essay on Man. The first part of An Essay on Man discusses the symbolic function or essence of humanity, the second part explores the relationship between humans and culture, while The Myth of the State examines the relationship between humans and politics. This book is a classic text in the process of demystification of modernity, serving as an important component of political demystification. It represents a classic application of symbolic form philosophy in the history of political thought, political history, and political science. "Among all human illusions, the political illusion, like the market illusion, is the most dangerous and most enduring illusion." "We should carefully study the origins, structures, methods, and techniques of political myths. To understand our opponents and defeat them, we must confront them face-to-face."