Myth is what consciousness must overcome to become human.

Evidence

There can be no argument: In the domain of psychoanalysis as in that of philosophy, the organic, or constitutional, is a myth only for him who can go beyond it. If from a heuristic point of view one must totally deny the existence of the organic, the fact remains, and we can do nothing about it, that some individuals make every effort to fit into pre-established categories. Or, rather, yes, we can do something about it. — Frantz Fanon, Constance Farrington, Black skin, white masks, 296 (#expands, via linked claim)

Secondly, in the absence of a world constituted of other free individuals, nearly all human action becomes disturbingly absurd. Th at is, there would be little reason for acting unless there are other consciousnesses in the world (or outside of it) who can observe us acting. Th e inherently performative dimension of action is indeed evident precisely in considering that action becomes vain at best, if not altogether futile, if performed for no audience. — Christine Daigle, Jacob Golomb (eds.), Beauvoir and Sartre, 620 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The organic or constitutional basis of psychology is a myth one must transcend — Frantz Fanon, Constance Farrington, Black skin, white masks, 296; Compulsory acceptance of foundational state myths stunts human intelligence and philosophy. — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 535; Myth’s formal features derive from its pre-individualistic social origins. — Fredric Jameson, The Political Unconscious, 2871 (+7 more)

Broader Connections

• The organic or constitutional basis of psychology is a myth one must transcend #expands (0.85) — Frantz Fanon, Constance Farrington, Black skin, white masks, 296
• Myth differs from signification in that it escapes any act of consciousness #contradicts (0.80)
• Myth’s formal features derive from its pre-individualistic social origins. #complicates (0.75) — Fredric Jameson, The Political Unconscious, 2871
• Epic narrative organizes myth but dissolves it through rational order. #complicates (0.75)
• Human action requires witnessing by other free consciousnesses to retain meaning #expands (0.75) — Christine Daigle, Jacob Golomb (eds.), Beauvoir and Sartre, 620
• Submission to mythic command simultaneously liberates the repressed nature within #complicates (0.72)
• Desire is consciousness troubled by its own inapprehensible facticity #expands (0.72)
• Mankind demands legends because responsibility outruns conscious, willed acts #complicates (0.72) — Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 536
• Compulsory acceptance of foundational state myths stunts human intelligence and philosophy. #complicates (0.70) — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 535
• Deception and fabrication inhered in myth from its origin #expands (0.70)