Myth has been used by cultures to answer the questions that have either no answers, or answers which are beyond their answering due to their level of technology. Why we ask these questions without answers is equally as interesting, but is not the direction I wish to go.
The role of myth, traditionally, has been to answer these questions in such a way that doesn't come into conflict with our history, and morals. And in doing so allows a culture to establish a philosophy.
In any given culture a value is placed on any of those attributes and as individual attribute boundaries expand, conflict occurs.
Myth now has an additional attribute to have boundary disputes with, science. And therefore it's role is modified in the individual, and cultural perceptions.
In my opinion it's not wrong to hold a belief based on myth. I do, and I'm sure most people do. The difference is people's unwillingness to let go of these beliefs in light of better evidence.
Therefore, my concept of myth serves to not hold back belief in scientific progress.
It is in place to placate that part of my mind which requires there to be such answers in place, either correct or incorrect.
Itchy_turd - 2/08/2006 07:39:00 PM
Well, I'll have to agree with your statements; that's a pretty damn good description of myth and it's relation to science.
Since I don't have an alternative or opposing veiwpoint, let me pose a few hypothetical questions:
-What if there were no myth and humans based their beliefs entirely on empirical evidence? Even though one may feel this would lead to us being orientated solely in science, would we be able to process at the rate we have scientifically at this point w/o radical theories and thought?
-What if there were only myth and no scientific progression (or very little), after the point definited human existance with basic tool and fire use and language? That isn't hard to imagine since we can look to cultures such as the aboriginal
people of Australia, or the history of native American societies.
-Consider what if there an event that challenged existing boundries for the myth of most cultures? The only possible event that comes to mind would be an undisputable show of force to the people of Earth by extraterrestrial beings.
-What will our future be like if Congress doesn't "pass legislation to prohibit the most egregious abuses of medical research:...
creating human-animal hybrids"?!
Keep in mind this could potentially *re-inforce* some culture's myths, such as those crazy Hindus.
Chuck - 2/08/2006 11:27:00 PM
What a bunch of fun questions. I'll enjoy trying to answer them. Follow the major blog posts and I'll try to do them all justice.
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