demythologization

Thân thiện

The scholar's lecture focused on the demythologization of ancient texts.

Definition

Noun: The process of removing mythical or supernatural elements from a narrative, belief system, or text, especially a religious one, in order to interpret or present its core message in rational, non-symbolic terms.

Usage

This term is used in academic, theological, and literary contexts to describe a critical approach that seeks to explain stories or doctrines by focusing on their underlying human, historical, or ethical meaning, rather than their supernatural or miraculous aspects.

Examples

• The scholar's work involved the demythologization of ancient creation stories to explore their philosophical insights.
• A key project in modern theology has been the demythologization of biblical narratives.
• The demythologization of the national legend revealed a more complex historical truth.

Advanced Usage

• Demythologization is often associated with the theologian Rudolf Bultmann, who argued for interpreting the New Testament's existential message apart from its first-century mythological worldview.
• The term can be applied beyond religion to the critical analysis of political ideologies, national histories, or cultural narratives to strip away idealized or legendary elements.

Variants and Related Words

• Demythologize (verb): To remove mythical elements from something.
  • The author sought to demythologize the figure of the founding father.
• Demythologized (adjective): Describing something that has undergone this process.
  • A demythologized account of the events.
• Demythologizing (noun/gerund): The act or process of demythologizing.

Synonyms

• Rationalization
• Secularization (in specific contexts)
• Desacralization

Antonyms

• Mythologization
• Sacralization

Học thuật

Noun

1. the restatement of a message (as a religious one) in rational terms

Từ đồng nghĩa

• demythologisation