Meaning Philosophy of Myth - Report Example

?"Philosophy of Myth" According to Gregory Schrempp of Indiana "Myth" refers to colorful stories that tell about the origins of humans and the cosmos. Attitudes towards myth vary greatly. Some regard it as a source of spiritual growth, while others see only falsehood. Some see in myth the distinct character of particular cultures, while others see universal patterns. Some regard myth as "contemporary" and "alive", while others think of it as "ancient" and/or "dead." (What is Myth?). Myth is defined from Greek word mythos meaning story or word and a study encompassing myths or body of myths is demonstrated as mythology. Considering the variation in cultural predisposition, myths also varies. Different beliefs persist in different parts of the globe defining culture, traditions and rituals of that particular region. A comparative account could be established between different mythologies and this is packed under comparative mythology. Myth refers to variety of stories sharing distinctiveness, making it special and diverse from other genres, folklores and legends. Formulating this as a basis, myths could be defined as "Myths are symbolic tales of the distant past (often primordial times) that concern cosmogony and cosmology (the origin and nature of the universe), may be connected to belief systems or rituals, and may serve to direct social action and values." (What is Myth?). William Bascom in his article entitled “The Forms of Folklore: Prose Narratives” defined myth as "tales believed as true, usually sacred, set in the distant past or other worlds or parts of the world, and with extra-human, inhuman, or heroic characters". Considering the extra-human description in most of the mythologies across the world, myths are considered as "cosmogenic" or cosmogonic or "cosmic" taken from Greek word kosmos meaning order. Beliefs represent this order as the tradition and culture of that particular geographical location and these features delineate the nature of the inhabitants belonging to that milieu. Concepts of myth encompass definition of myths in various paradigms, from the thought of origin of the universe to the rules of nature that paves the way to modulate culture, rituals, ceremonies, food and medicines. Depending upon the climatic condition, seasons, flora and fauna, ancient beliefs called myths lay their foundation. Myths are therefore considered as narratives of cosmogonic origin as they define origin of the universe and life from primordial forms to the present form (What is Myth?). Believers laid the foundation of Sacred Nature of myths as myths narrate the rituals, sacred stories and folklore of the tradition, these beliefs institute the basis of religions and narratives specify the truth and develop a system of faith and holy credence. Every existing culture portrays the co-existence of secular and sacred myths. Myths thereby narrate influential or expressive form of societal order or significance contained by a way of life. The functioning of the society centers around the beliefs and myths prevalent in that locale. Cultural beliefs are framed through epistemology or the level of understanding displayed by the followers, culture in turn epitomize myths and therefore myths are of paramount significance to exhibit the predilection of residents (What is Myth?). Involvement of Heroic characters is the most imperative characteristic of every myth. These Heroic personalities arbitrate inheritance, disturbing dualities, reunite individuals to the veracities of life or ascertain the prototypes of life. To certain extent myths are believed to co-relate realities with the established facts as any happening in the present could have some instituted facts in the mythology. The predictions made by the astrologers and those who tell the future prospects perform certain calculations that define a particular character that has been already reported in the mythology. Therefore, mythology has certain traits that connects past to the present situation (What is Myth?). Mythology & Philosophy Mythology portrays mystical explanation about the origin of the universe and also about the origin of life on the planet. This fact is well supported by Joseph Campbell as "The basic theme of mythology is that the visible world is supported and sustained by an invisible world." Establishing the fact that invisible gods influence the world from their roosts on Mount Olympus. There is a separate god for each activity, accountable for food, water, olive etc, moreover the huge humanoid a close relative of celestial contributors called Atlas, clasp the planet earth on his shoulders. As all these beliefs could not be witnessed by anyone so it forms a natural as well as philosophical basis of myths (Pre-Socratic Philosophy and Greek Mythology). The early Greek Pre-Socratic philosophers tried to elucidate the world in a more natural form. They tried to represent Anaxagoras thoughts that rule the universe i.e. mind rules the universe and not the anthropomorphic creator gods (Pre-Socratic Philosophy and Greek Mythology). This postulated the three phases of ancient Greek Philosophy as Greeks subjugated philosophy for about a millennium- Phase I The Pre-Socratics Philosophy The philosophy says that the first period instigated with Thales' prophecy of Solar eclipse in 585 B.C.E. and concluded in 400 B. C. E. Philosophers belonging to this era are called Pre-Socratic. Phase II- The period known for its schools. Phase III- The phase of syncretism (the era started from 100 B.C.E and ends in A.D.E 529). Philosophy got its way through the mythology and mostly the thoughts as well as the interest of the mythographers in the universe of the cosmos. Parmenides a philosopher belonging to Elea (in Magna Graecia) existed in the sixth century firmly believed that nothing in the universe come out of nothing or from the empty space, there has to be the basis of everything. Myths are the stories about the individuals while Pre-Socratics believed that there has to some kind of explanation that should be present to naturally explain all these myths. Myths may permit diversity of varied elucidation. While the Pre-Socratic philosophers tried to look beyond these explanations to seek fundamental basis of the cosmos. Myths are conventional or traditional, as they cannot accept any change and followers blindly follow the same. This was not supported by the Pre-Socratic philosophers as there has to be the roots for every belief or happenings. Myths are self-mitigating and are ethically ambiguous. On the other hand, philosophers belonging to the Pre-Socratic era believed on the natural facts. As mythographers believed on mystic approach, but Pre-Socratic philosophers denied the approach and follow blindly or to follow mob psychology. Hence philosophers shorn of a dissimilarity between natural and supernatural. Receding from Mythology to Science Aristotle was a philosopher who valued confirmation and surveillance philosophy got its wings towards the pragmatic science as he supported researchers working in the field of medicine that are beneficial for others and there is no god who comes for the rescue. In the present era of science and technology it is believed that people are receding away from mythology and have started believing on the facts of life what they see and what happens based on the science theories and principles. The evidence for the existence of life in primordial earth, the big bang theory for the origin of the universe and also the solar system with its planets and satellites and all the vital life processes are governed by the genes, the DNA which is present in every organism lay the emphasis that religion and mythology must co-exist with the science although believers of science do not follow ancient established facts but do believe in the findings established by researchers and scientists and hence philosophy for the origin of life was accurate in its say since the time of Pre-Socratic era. References Pre-Socratic Philosophy and Greek Mythology. Available at http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/philosophers/p/presocraticphil.htm. [Accessed on 17th October 2011]. What is Myth? Available at http://hercules.gcsu.edu/~mmagouli/defmyth.htm. [Accessed on 17th October 2011]. Read More