Sam Keen and Anne Valley-Fox

Sam Keen and Anne Valley-Fox are students of philosophy, religion, and myth. They are not concerned with ancient myths, but with the stories people create today to explain their experiences. For example, in one book (The Faces of the Enemy), Keen explains how individuals and nations create negative images of their enemies to justify their conflict with their enemies. This viewpoint is taken from Your Mythic Journey. The authors explain that all humans need a “story line,” or a myth, which puts life together into a meaningful whole.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How do the authors define myth? How do other people use this term?
2. What do the authors mean when they say that myths are like an iceberg?
3. Do myths function the same way for nations, families...