Gilbert Durand (1 May 1921, Chambéry – 7 December 2012, Moye) was a French academic known for his work on the imaginary, symbolic anthropology and mythology. According to Durand, Imagination and Reason can be complementary. He defends the status of the image, traditionally devalued in Western thought, particularly in French philosophy. He advocates for a multidisciplinary approach. He distinguishes between two regimes : Diurnal and Nocturnal, to classify symbols and archetypes.