"I therefore claim to show, not how men think in myths, but how myths operate in men's minds without their being aware of the fact"
- Claude Levi-Strauss
About this Quote
In this quote, French anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss recommends that misconceptions might not always be consciously present in individuals' thoughts, but rather operate in a subconscious manner in which affects their thinking and actions. He argues that misconceptions are implanted in the cultural and social frameworks of societies, which individuals might unwittingly accept and embody these misconceptions. By taking a look at how myths function in society, Levi-Strauss seeks to unveil the underlying structures that shape human habits and thought patterns. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of the cultural and social characteristics that govern human societies, and sheds light on the methods which misconceptions can influence and affect people' lives.
"A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason; if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect"