April 23
Dear Oluwatoyin Vincent Adepoju,
You sensibly ask:
Prof. Segal, I see you have published a book on Joseph Campbell. In what way/s would you describe Campbell as more worthy of attention than Armstrong? If you do not to wish to address the issue further, though, I will not be offended.
I don't mind at all continuing the discussion.
Yes, I have written on Campbell. And I am slated to revise my JOSEPH CAMPBELL: AN INTRODUCTION for publication by Oxford. But like others, I have faulted Campbell for his amateurishness. He got an MA but never a PhD. Still, he was an academic: he taught literature at swanky Sarah Lawrence College. Moreover, he knew lots of myths. He was a scholar of sorts. I have even perused his library, which is located at Pacifica Graduate Institute. I would rank him leagues above Armstrong.
The study of myth in general is divided into academic and nonacademic wings. The twain rarely meets. I don't know whether the same is true of the study of magic.
Take care.
Best wishes,
Robert
The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683.
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