How much truth is there in myth?

Is there a God? If so, what is She like?

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Philosophy Explorer
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How much truth is there in myth?

Post by Philosophy Explorer »

For example, there are a number of flood stories, so much so that I believe they refer to a particular time when much of the earth was flooded. Then did you know that Troy at one time was a myth until it's existence was confirmed in the 19th century?

This article goes more deeply into this with a focus on Greek myth. Just ask yourself what really lies behind the myth?:

http://factsanddetails.com/world/cat56/ ... m2028.html

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Bill Wiltrack
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Re: How much truth is there in myth?

Post by Bill Wiltrack »

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I'm NOT going to say you are a slow learner...I'm going to say you are persistent.






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Philosophy Explorer
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Re: How much truth is there in myth?

Post by Philosophy Explorer »

Bill Wiltrack wrote:.




............................
I'm NOT going to say you are a slow learner...I'm going to say you are persistent.






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Are you looking at that mirror again?

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Skip
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Re: How much truth is there in myth?

Post by Skip »

Philosophy Explorer wrote:For example, there are a number of flood stories, so much so that I believe they refer to a particular time when much of the earth was flooded.
After every ice age. On the other hand, how do you figure that all of those flood legends are contemporary? They could be centuries or millennia apart. Since nearly all human settlements are on riverbanks, you'd pretty much expect periodic flooding to displace agricultural societies and disrupt shipping trade.

The more interesting aspect of mythology is what it tells you about human nature. The same archetypes keep showing up in history; the same situations; the same conflicts; the same tragic errors in judgment. The Greeks had us pegged - but then so did the Hopi, the Japanese and the Persians. We haven't changed in 10,000 years....

... maybe it's time to consider it?
Obvious Leo
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Re: How much truth is there in myth?

Post by Obvious Leo »

"The difference between fiction and non-fiction is that fiction must always be true".....Mark Twain.
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Re: How much truth is there in myth?

Post by Philosophy Explorer »

I just ran across this article:

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-27923256

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Re: How much truth is there in myth?

Post by Dalek Prime »

I think Joseph Campbell would say there is much truth to myth, as it pertains to our inner lives.
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Re: How much truth is there in myth?

Post by Philosophy Explorer »

Dalek Prime wrote:I think Joseph Campbell would say there is much truth to myth, as it pertains to our inner lives.
I think that's what Leo says too.

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