Single Idea 20108

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 5. Culture]

Full Idea

Without myth every culture loses its natural healthy creating power: only a horizon encircled with myths can mark off a cultural movement as a discrete unit.

Gist of Idea

Every culture loses its identity and power if it lacks a major myth

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Works (refs to 8 vol Colli and Montinari) [1885], 1.145)

Book Reference

Safranski,Rüdiger: 'Nietzsche: a philosophical biography' [Granta 2003], p.86


A Reaction

In the early part of his career this was a big idea for Nietzsche, especially associated with Wagner's Ring, but he moved away from the idea later.