demythologisation
Definition
- Noun:
- The process of removing mythical or supernatural elements from a narrative or belief system: It refers to the reinterpretation or restatement of a story, doctrine, or message (often religious) in rational, non-mythological terms. The goal is to present the core ideas stripped of their mythical framework.
Usage
- As a subject: is a key concept in modern theological studies.
- As an object: The scholar's work involved the of ancient texts.
- With modifiers: A systematic of the sacred stories was attempted.
Examples
- The professor's lecture focused on the of biblical miracles, examining their potential symbolic meanings.
- Rudolf Bultmann's project of aimed to make the Christian message understandable to modern, scientifically-minded people.
- Critics argued that the of the epic tale stripped it of its cultural power and emotional resonance.
Advanced Usage
- In academic discourse: The term is frequently used in theology, philosophy, literary criticism, and historiography to describe a critical methodology that seeks to explain events or concepts in secular, humanistic terms.
- Conceptual application: While often applied to religion, can refer to any critical process that removes idealized or legendary elements from historical accounts, political ideologies, or cultural narratives.
Variants and Related Words
- Demythologize (verb): To remove mythical elements from something.
- Theologians sought to demythologize the scriptures.
- Demythologization (noun): An alternative spelling, identical in meaning to (the '-ize' spelling is more common in American English, while '-ise' is common in British English).
- Demythologising (gerund/noun): The act or process of demythologizing.
Synonyms
- Rationalization: The action of making something conform to reason or logic.
- Secularization: The process of transforming something from religious to non-religious control or influence.
- Desacralization: The removal of sacred or holy status.
Antonyms
- Mythologization: The process of constructing or treating something as a myth.
- Sacralization: The process of making something sacred.
Related Concepts
- Historical criticism: A method of analysis that investigates the origins and historical context of texts, often part of a demythologising approach.
- Allegorical interpretation: A method of reading that seeks hidden moral or spiritual meanings, which can be an alternative or a complement to demythologisation.
Noun
-
the restatement of a message (as a religious one) in rational terms
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