The fire of Prometheus: a vision of the myth from concepts of P. Ricoeur’s philosophy

Abstract

Poetry, through dramatic art and the use of myth, allowed ancient Greeks to reflect on themselves and the world, re-presenting the Delphic meaning of γνῶθι σεαυτόν (“know thyself”). Centuries after the prime of Hellenic culture, the myth of Prometheus still carries a worldview that can be recognized as a translation of that same learning; using it as example, a human being is able to understand not only her/his self but what surrounds him/her, and so become aware of his/her humanity and its limitations.