Non-instrumental acts and involvements are as basic to human nature as those which are instrumental; but our culture overlooks the former and thus diminishes human life. Hence, this book explores mainly the metaphysics of non-instrumental (intraested) involvements, and calls for their being better balanced and integrated with instrumental (interested) involvements. Various formulations of similar categories in philosophy and religion, particularly of love, are critically analyzed. Some aspects of Eckstein's life are examined for their effects on these ideas.

Explores the factors that make for a meaningful life.

The title has more than a general accuracy; it suggests that myth will be taken as philosophically significant, not as a mere adornment, and this the book does.