The function of myth: How to reclaim the lost power of mythology

This evening is about one of humanity’s most enduring and influential forces: Myth. 

“Myths are public dreams, and dreams are private myths.” (Joseph Campbell) 

Myths are not merely ancient stories; they are living patterns that continue to guide our values, shape our identities, and structure our societies. We might think that myths are something that was relevant in the past, and that modern, scientific society is myth-free. That - as we will explore this evening - could not be further from the truth. 

Humanity cannot exist without myths. This lecture invites both intellectual inquiry and inner reflection as we explore myth in its dual function: a tool for individual meaning and a collective cultural compass. Using the Norse myths as the starting point of our journey, we will explore the richness and depth of humanity’s mythological landscape, from antiquity to the modern age. 

We will trace the evolution of mythic…