more about myth and mythology

The Muse comments further on the nature of myth and mythology.

myth

There are various kinds of myths and various roles that a myth can play. A typical myth deals with some combination of supernatural beings, ancestors, and heroes. It provides a world view of a people and its origins. It explains aspects of the natural world and delineates the psychology, customs, or ideals of a society.

Although it may contain fictional elements, a myth is not a completely fictional construct. Even if on the surface a given myth may seem contrived or unfactual, at root it is not a thing that is unproved or false. Myths tell stories about people and social institutions that arise from out of mankind's psyche.

If taken at face value, at first sight a myth may seem silly or naive; it may be based on a dubious or outdated world view. Its story and characters may depict real or distorted events and people; its plot may be legendary or fanciful. But regardless, a myth is never fictional at heart. Its underlying truth is always in harmony with that ever-constant kernel of human nature that makes humans human, no matter what the era or society in which it originates.

Myths are as alive today as they were thousands of years ago. The are as modern as a trip into space; they are as old-fashioned as a painting on a cave wall.

Man has told mythological stories since the dawn of time and will continue to tell them. When people stop making myth, if they ever do, they will no longer be human as we are.

mythology

Mythology—the science or study of bodies of myths—plays a vital role in the affairs of man. New myths are spawned continually in response to new world views, beliefs, and value systems. Bodies of myth have had a major impact on human affairs and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Mythologies not only reflect social mores, they have had a major impact on revising social systems and have altered the course of human events. The changing course of worldly events will spawn new and different kinds of myths. There is every reason to believe that they will continue to do so as long as mankind inhabits this planet and after he leaves it for another.

myth & mythology

Myth and mythology are important and active intellectual and philosophical fields of pursuit involving some of mankind's best minds. Groundbreaking 20th century scholars, scientists, and psychologists such as Joseph Campbell, Heinrich Zimmer, Claude Levi-Strauss, Sigmund Freud, and Karl Jung have produced many new, important, and exciting insights into some of the deeper mysteries that underly myth and mythology. This kind of research still goes on in many of the finest universities in the world, probing deeper and revealing more.

The Muse Of Mythology will explore some of these developments in the pages that follow.