Abstract

Myths are stories which reduce complexity and naturalize the diversity of historical events. With the development of the critical consciousness, linked to historical thinking during the Enlightenment, the traditional myths are consequently rejected. But the yearning for a reduction of the contingency of everyday human life, which is impossible to comprehend with pure reason, does not disappear. In light of these considerations based on fundamental anthropological need, numerous romantic authors developed the concept of a new mythology. Myths which go back to the origin and take place in founding contexts have been repeatedly considered as particularly important. This chapter shows how such myths attribute meaning to give a basis to social communities in modern and postmodern times.