TY - BOOK ID - 78408320 TI - Social myths and collective imaginaries PY - 2017 SN - 1442625732 9781442625730 9781442625747 1442625740 9781442631908 1442631902 9781442629073 144262907X PB - Toronto Buffalo London DB - UniCat KW - Myth. KW - Social representations. KW - Representations, Social KW - Social perception KW - Demythologization KW - God KW - Gods KW - Mythology KW - Religion KW - Myth KW - Social representations KW - #SBIB:39A3 KW - #SBIB:39A10 KW - #SBIB:316.7C122 KW - Antropologie: geschiedenis, theorie, wetenschap (incl. grondleggers van de antropologie als wetenschap) KW - Antropologie: religie, riten, magie, hekserij KW - Cultuursociologie: overtuigingen, waarden en houdingen UR - https://www.unicat.be/uniCat?func=search&query=sysid:78408320 AB - "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, GeĢrard 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 them apart. In his own way, Bouchard awakens us to the transcendent power of myth that affects our daily lives, frequently unbeknownst to us."-- ER -