Mythological features of doctrinal legal thinking

Abstract

Based on analyses of well-known specialists writings, it is argued in the article, that scientific thinking, including doctrinal legal thinking, cannot but include mythological features, as such thinking goes not only within rational but also within ideal (imaginative) sphere. Remythologization of scientific knowledge becomes active due to move towards postclassic paradigm and researches need to achieve holistic vision of researchable objects and at the same time realize base structures supporting thinking process. Realizing of cognitive connection of rational elements and symbolism of myth illuminates occurrence of specific myth-logic in knowledge development which allows to guess truth by means of intuitive mechanisms which, as it was formerly believed, are not involved into scientific thinking. Difference between scientific and mythological thinking do not interfere such types of thinking to coexist in capacity of mutual complementarity, as human thought does not operate independently and imagery is unattainable apart from estimation. The sphere of modern consciousness, including legal, involves specific myth-logic, as such consciousness still contains archetypes of legal subjects, the real science is based on believe in a number of basic premises and ideas (paradigm) and reality is presented at a most abstract level which does not allow to use, in a nuanced way, an abstract-conceptual and logical-demonstrable knowledge. The adopted point of view is exemplified by human rights conception. It is resumed that mythological thinking is not only existing feature of thinking process but substantial resource of new knowledge. Therefore, the mythologic in science is not a fantasy but more like a guessed truth. Demythologization in legal science can be reached by explanation of all unclear and disputable points.