Many thoughtful people recognise that Western society no longer has a viable, functioning myth which would give a sense of place and ultimate meaning (and maybe not just western society) The breakdown of a central myth (that Christianity once provided) is like the shattering of a vessel containing a precious essence. Meaning is lost.
The secular conception of the human appears unable to genuinely offer a viable option or alternative, saturated as it is by positivism, materialism, reductionism, and atheism.
@SW-User I disagree. Optimistic nihilism or existentialism for example are alternatives to myths and religion.
The shattering of a central myth is good, it is liberating and a necessity and outcome of the expansion of knowledge.
What causes alienation and depression in my opinion is the commodification of life and human relations, the downside of global connectivity being the awareness of human suffering around the globe, the rejection of peoples newly discovered selfes and identities, the overstimulation via technology, the looming threat of climate change, ....
SW-User
@Gloomy I would see Optimistic Nihilism (for instance) as virtually nascent myths.
