Post on 03-Apr-2018
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Nigel Morrison
Professor Emily Haines
English 131A4
5 March 2013
The Modern Application of Myth
In a modern society consumed by technology and science, myth has become, for the most
part, obsolete. A Myth involves a message that is explained or justified through a story with
supernatural elements and occurrences that may captivate the reader. Through a digression of
history and a movement towards the future, society today has shown that the topics of myth have
become outdated and unrealistic. There exists a line between the logical applications of science
and the abstract morals of myth. Modern day society lives on the scientific side of this line, not
realizing that myth and science are two separate entities. The two concepts co-exist, but the
concept of myth is less emphasized in modern day society because of the overwhelming
advances in recent technology.
Society is rational. People tend to operate on a day-to-day basis making very calculated
decisions and pointed actions. This specificity and analytic lifestyle is spurred by the ever-
increasing prominence of science and technology. The calculated nature of science makes
physical sense. Thus many problems that can be solved using science are clear-cut and easy to
traverse. However, navigating through a less uniform situation, such as a human-human
relationship, requires more innovation and emotion to be positively cultivated. Science fails to
assist its user in the emotional undertaking of a relationship. Emotion is not rational. Emotions
and feelings are very subjective in that they are not congruous between different people in
society. The emotions that one person might have will not necessarily mirror the emotions of
Comment [NM1]: You could probaa different word here instead of a phrasebecause it makes your sentence a little h
to read.
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another. Modern culture is immersed in technology, surrounded by cell phones, Internet, math,
and computer programs. The abundance of technological opportunities has caused society to lose
sight of the value in lasting characteristics. Mythology is the medium that presents these abstract
values. Myths contain character traits that are passed down through generations to different
groups. These traits are valuable to the prosperity and social health of a given culture, as myth
commonly utilizes stories to justify a belief or explain a way of life that the culture associates
with. In this way, myth is essential to understanding the humanistic dynamics of a society that
places others before themselves or the advancement of technology.
While myth may demonstrate the abstract qualities of human interaction, science is
defined as the rational, systematic identification of problems or events that occur in the natural
world. Whether one is seeking an education or financing a home, each problem that arises can be
solved using a procedure of actions that logically progress from one instance to the next, as in a
scientific method. The study and applications of science through the practical approach of
physical situations is a worldly study. Many of these physical problems can be approached and
addressed using a scientific viewpoint with a procedure that can be theoretically and
accurately walked through before execution. For instance, a systematic approach to the
development of a bridge involves planning the site, determining the stresses, and creating the
structure according to the specifications of the laws of physics. Although the dynamics of
science may change, the underlying structure and method of solving problems remains static.
The nature of science approaches specificity and follows closely the line of universal laws, rarely
venturing to justify the way that a society lives. Instead, science goes in the opposite direction,
seeking to understand what it is that brings humans to the earth and focusing on the materialistic
and microscopic elements that compose the earth.
Comment [NM2]: I dont think this
necessary.
Comment [NM3]: This is your secodefinition of myth, which is quite differthan the one mentioned in your first
paragraph. I would revise your first twopages to keep the definitions consistent.
Comment [NM4]: Sounds awkwarwould consider revising this statement tmore with the general ideas in thepreceding sentences.
Comment [NM5]: Word choice! Mprocedure or process..?
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While the laws of nature do not change, religion and beliefs vary widely from one culture
to the next. Myth can be interpreted as a religion for some societies. A myth presents a value that
is portrayed through a story. These values are intrinsic to the culture from which the myth
originated. The values renowned in mythology are typically not scientific, as they are not
concrete. An individual may disagree with a given value presented in a myth, but that value may
be essential to the life of a different culture. Although many people in society today disregard
myths largely for their unrealistic plotlines, the life lessons found in these stories can develop
societies that are well rounded in the sense of character. The lasting attributes of honesty,
compassion, and respect represented in mythology are what society is missing.
Everyday, society is surrounded by quality time found in relationships but misses this
value by overusing cell phones or locking up in a computer lab. Instead of forming lasting
happiness in quality time spent with other humans, microbiological scientists develop one-sided
relationships with the bacteria that inhabit the earth. Society has become obsessed with the future
and caught up in the very technology that is supposed to keep humans connected. Technology is
a positive aspect of society but seems to take the place of more valuable feelings, such as
happiness. So me may find happiness in such material objects, but in the end, ones soul cannot
carry a cell phone to its resting place. So, society turns to religion. Religion and myth are related
in the sense that they both represent beliefs and values of a culture. H owever, in todays world,
technology seems to place the concrete aspects of myth on trial for not agreeing with the laws of
science. Most myths do not make sense and are unrealistic. The purpose of these stories is not to
challenge science or reality, but rather to demonstrate that the value portrayed through
supernatural events is worth taking on. Myths show that there is usefulness in taking to heart the
message that each story contains for the good of oneself and for the good of their culture.
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The way out of this reversal of priorities is to place more value in the myth. Mythology is
overlooked because of its supernatural aspects. In a society where people tend to only rely on
ideas that make logical sense, myth is pushed to the bottom to make room for more realistic,
albeit materialistic endeavors. Myth is a form of storytelling in which the physical elements are
to be disregarded. The important aspect of mythology is its message and the morals that it
implies.
In the myth of the Fiery Furnace, it is three Jews belief in the divine that brings an angel
to save them from burning in the furnace. Although science and the laws of physics have
disproved the possibility of any such occurrence, the abstract nature of the myth is still
approachable. Societies need not accept the concrete plot elements of a myth, but in order to gain
a better understanding of humankind and lasting beliefs, the values presented in myths should be
closely examined. In the instance of the Fiery Furnace, holding true to ones beliefs may not
make them fireproof, but the spiritual reward that comes from faith is a powerful positive force.
Hope is a strong emotion that is mercurial and difficult to grasp. The constant use of technology
and its calculated nature encourages society to shy away from such abstract concepts as hope, but
the beauty of hope lies in the mystery of faith.
For the Yoruba culture, faith lies in a system. Known for its power of restoration and
renewal, Ifa is a divine system of beliefs by which the Yoruba culture lives its life. While there is
no one specific equation to follow for eternal life or happiness, the belief in Ifa values honesty
and trust in daily life. Deceit is largely frowned upon, as the audience sees in the development of
the characters and their fates. Because society has become accustomed to instant information,
when ideas are kept secret, or at a distance, society tends to become impatient and resort to
deceit in order to access the information or simply neglect the concept or person altogether (The
Comment [NM6]: I feel like youvrestated this quite a bit.
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Red Buffalo Woman 6). In this way, myth portrays the values that can be improved upon in
order to sustain lasting relationships in ones lifetime. It has been explored that myth provides a
strong cultural influence and creates an inner compulsion for morality and exhibits the restraints
for conscience in Yoruba society (Olusegun 93).
Not to be compared to the value of mythology or religion, science and technology are
very valuable in their own respects. Doctors are making tremendous advancements in disease
resistance and cancer treatment, and communication is extending to lengths beyond just words or
voice. Technology has improved the lives of many, making research more efficient, and allowing
for a wider distribution of knowledge.
Myth portrays abstract values that are more important than the material world we
surround ourselves in. Myth provides essential human characteristics and morals that society
lives by. Science cannot provide these abstract values due to its specificity. This is where myth
will outlive science. Because of their conflicting and polar nature, science and mythology should
never be viewed as equals. Science and religion are two separate entities that both encompass
their own ideas but also are compliments of each other. Society today is very materialistic, and
even science portrays this notion through its specificity and focus on worldly aspects and one-
dimensional equations. Myth tends to be the counterbalance to the specificity of science,
bringing humans back to real life and to the important characteristics of values that distinguish
humans from artificial intelligence. Although science and myth may be separate entities and
seem to exist in different dimensions, the correlation between them is strong. Without the study
of mythology, the values that society functions on would not exist.
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Work Cited
Ford, Clyde. "The Red Buffalo Woman." The Hero with an African Face . New York: Bantam
Book, 1999. 132-138. Print.
Lynch, Patricia, and Jeremy Roberts. African Mythology, A to Z. 2nd. New York: Chelsea
House, 2004. 102-103. Web.
Oladosu A., Olusegun. "Ethics And Judgement: A Panacea For Human Transformation In
Yorb Multireligious Society." Asia Journal Of Theology 26.1 (2012): 88-104. Web. 27
Jan. 2013.
Washington, Teresa N. "Mules And Men And Messiahs: Continuity In Yoruba Divination
Verses And African American Folktales." Journal Of American Folklore 125.497 (2012):
263-285. Academic Search Complete. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.