Imaginary has emerged as a heuristic concept in the social sciences, attracting attention from diverse fields such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, and philosophy. However, its polysemic nature presents significant challenges for scholars seeking to define or operationalize it. This study aims to compare and explore the interpretations of the imaginary as presented in Gilbert Durand's “The Anthropological Structures of the Imaginary” and Cornelius Castoriadis's “The Imaginary Institution of Society.” Through a narrative literature review, the research highlights key points of convergence and divergence between these two theoretical perspectives. Despite their distinct conceptual approaches, both Durand and Castoriadis critique the marginalization of the imaginary by rationalist traditions, viewing it as a driving force for human beings, societies, and history. Furthermore, both theorists reject positivist methodologies, advocating for interpretive paradigms in the study of imaginary phenomena.
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