Mythological Consciousness in the Post-Digital Era: The Irrational as the Basis of Identity

Abstract

This article explores the role of mythological consciousness as a key component in the construction of identity in the post-digital era. In a time marked by the fragmentation of cultural narratives, the erosion of institutional trust, and the proliferation of visual and emotional stimuli, the study emphasizes the growing relevance of irrational structures in shaping both individual and collective self-understanding.

The research applies an interdisciplinary approach that integrates philosophical reflection, cultural analysis, and media theory. Special attention is given to such structural elements of myth as mythologeme, affective resonance, ritualization, the apophatic principle, and the function of resistance.

The article identifies how myth functions as a mechanism of affective identification in a fragmented and media-saturated cultural environment. It demonstrates that myth no longer operates solely within traditional sacred frameworks but transforms into a dynamic and flexible mode of symbolic belonging within digital communities. Visual symbols, virtual totemism, and simulated gestures of affiliation (e.g. memes, avatars, hashtags) serve as instruments of symbolic cohesion and emotional inclusion. These phenomena indicate a shift from rational identity construction to affectively charged, media-mediated processes.

Mythological consciousness remains an influential force in the digital age, ensuring continuity of symbolic structures and emotional unity in the face of social and cultural instability. This necessitates deeper interdisciplinary investigation into how contemporary myths intersect with digital technologies, visual culture, and political narratives. Understanding these processes may offer new insights into the formation of identity and community in a postmodern, post-digital world.