Paper On The Foundations Of Mythology

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Foundations of Mythology Jamie Davis Hum/105 – World Mythology Terra Frost September 21, 2011

Foundations of Mythology Today’s use of the word myth in definition form can be best described as a belief of a traditional or legendary story, figure, or belief. In the world of academics the study of myths is used to learn about ancient societies, their beliefs and supreme gods. In the text myth is defined as a sequence of events in ancient times that attempts to explain the basic elemental human questions. Such as who are we, where did we begin, which is still argued about today. Humans have continuously tried to figure out these common questions like who made the universe or questions like what causes a storm. In response to these questions religion, gods, and myths were formed when humans attempted to make some meaning out of these questions. They also attempt to explain other questions that are at this moment answered through present day science.
Humans have always been uncomfortable with any type of the unknown.
For this reason myths from around the world often address comparable themes, like the beginning of the world and the meaning of life, for the reason that these are the things that matter to people regardless of their background, belief or culture. Myths tend to make sense of things that are not known or considered the normal. It explains why things happened when it was not considered normal or an everyday occurrence. Myth, is considered by some to be similar to science by explain what humans needed to understand to create a answer that could explain questions like how the world was created and whether it was round or flat. These beliefs were at one time or another considered a myth but as time wore on they were proven false or
mythical.

One could understand the relationship between belief, knowledge, mythology, and religion as different but the same at the same time. Belief, mythology, and religion can be understood as similar to the same thing since neither of these things can truly be proven true or false. There is only the belief that they could be true, humans need to believe in something even if these things cannot be proven. Mythology and religion in their on sense can be seen as true or as an explanation for things that are happening or has happened. There are many similarities to each mythology and religion considering the deities they represent. Although many do not want to see this because of the fact of their beliefs, these myths and religions help people cope with things that have happened or will one day happen. This is their way of coping with stress and death through their beliefs and knowledge of the unknown making it known to them in certain terms.

Mythology is all around us, in everything we do, see or intercept in our everyday lives. Mythology in a way defines our culture in certain values in everything that we believe or do. It shapes our world really not only in reading but also in movies and in shows. It has influenced our culture in certain ways, such as the way we dress or the way our homes are run or our children are raised. These stories that we consider myths are read to our children shaping the way their minds are shaped from a young age but these stories are also influenced or changed to fit the views and culture of the ones right them at the time. Mythology defines us as human beings defining what we believe in and how we think.