Strenski/How to do things, 2.“Sola Scriptura”: Max Müller’s Theory of Myths

An exposition of Friedrich Max Müller’s theory of myths, here a paradigm of a static, textual, intellectualist – non-performative -- theory of myths. Müller interpreted myths from Vedic India, as conveying profound philosophical ideas. Even though today’s students of myth no longer respect Müller’s theory, his flair for cross-cultural comparison, his desire to be free of confessional biases, and his intellectual rigor, all exemplify traits of successful theorizing about myths.