Myths are the basis of our humanity. It is by telling stories that men try to grasp the meaning of their existence. And it is by sharing myths that they have managed to unite in large groups. The common belief in myths made the strength of Homo sapiens, that of numbers, against Neanderthal Man, who was individually stronger than him.
Mr. Lisée, in his column of December 24, “Le premier conspiracy”, gives some examples of very old myths which he qualifies as lies. But it does not reflect current beliefs, those of modernity. For example, the value of currencies and that of stocks on the stock market are based on belief. When that trust is lost, their value disappears. The credo of economic growth is another belief widely shared and maintained by economists, journalists and politicians. This belief is fundamental to the rise of capitalism. For better and for worse.
In the political domain, the nation is a mythical construction which has allowed the organization of very large groups of Sapiens. There again, if men stop believing in it, the nation disappears. Its existence completely depends on belief in it. Nations have not always existed, and it is not certain that they will still exist in the future. They depend on the nationalists’ strength of conviction, on their ability to make the majority believe that they really exist. Economic and cultural globalization is opposed to nationalism.
“The” science, or rather the belief that “the” science would solve all the problems and lead humanity to the earthly paradise is another founding myth of modernity. A lot of people don’t believe it anymore. The founding myths of modernity are shaken. This is what explains the many depressions, especially those of young people. To restructure societies, it will be necessary to create other myths, which will allow the participation of the greatest number in common projects.
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