major paper #2

7/28/2019 Major Paper #2

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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become outdated and unrealistic.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.

major paper #2

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