Book Review: On Mythology - Sacred Narratives from Ancient Societies to the Present

Abstract

This study introduces and evaluates Abdulkadir Kıyak's work entitled “On Mythology: Sacred Narratives from Ancient Societies to the Present Day.” Although academic research in the field of mythology has seen a significant increase in recent years, the number of comprehensive works that examine the concept of myth not only from one perspective but also from conceptual, cultural, religious, and psychological dimensions with a holistic approach is quite limited. In this context, Kıyak's work is noteworthy both for its interdisciplinary approach and the depth of the topics it addresses. The author does not merely approach mythology from a theoretical framework; he also evaluates it within a cultural context alongside historical processes. The work reveals that myth is not merely a narrative form of the past, but also has an impact on contemporary thought structures, scientific paradigms, and social rituals. In addition, the book presents the relationship between mythology and religion, dreams, rituals, and culture in a simple, understandable, and fluent language, providing the reader with a perspective that enriches them both academically and intellectually. In this respect, the work is a reference source not only for academic circles but also for the general readership interested in mythology. Especially for those interested in cultural analyses and the contemporary reflections of historical narratives, the work offers a highly satisfying and educational content.

Highlights

• The study focuses on the effects of myths on religion, culture, and human history in Abdulkadir Kıyak's work “On Mythology.”
• It examines the etymological origins of the concept of myth, its historical evolution, and various thinkers' views on myth.
• Explains the connection between myths, rituals, sacred reality, and cultural structures within the framework of the relationship between myths, religion, and culture.
• It introduces the development process of mythology as an independent science since the 17th century and different approaches to mythology.
• It compares the relationships between the concepts of myth, epic, and logos in the context of knowledge production and transmission.