Michael T. Michael: Beyond Origins. The Case for a Multiperspectival Approach to the Study of Dragons
This paper engages in a philosophical inquiry within the domain of mythology, focusing on the universality of dragons. While endorsing Robert Blust’s rainbow-serpent theory about the origin of dragons, it argues that this theory is insufficient to explain the enduring and widespread prevalence of dragon stories throughout history. Instead, it advocates for a multiperspectival approach that integrates naturalistic, cultural, and psychodynamic perspectives. Although the psychodynamic perspective may be contentious, the article asserts its paramount significance. Notably, it argues for a Freudian interpretation, elucidating the beguilingness of dragon tales. Through this multifaceted examination, the article seeks to transcend the limitations of singular theoretical paradigms, providing a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the long-lasting fascination with dragon mysteries across the history of human societies.
[Dragon, rainbow-serpent, universal myth, Inference to the Best Explanation, overdetermination, Freud]
