Myths are stories and stories evoke very deep resonances within us. Even though I cheerfully admit to an agnostic, non-religious, basically materialistic viewpoint, I certainly wouldn't want to do without stories. There are many different ways to realisation of different truths, particularly, as Vam points out, with reference to what it means to be human. The rational, analytic way is not the only way to go.
Myths can be sources of inspiration and contemplation - even if you don't buy into a Jungian psychological Weltanschauung. But there are, of course, also great dangers in them, particularly when people try to use them as substitutes for or opponents to scientific facts; creationism is one good example of this. Personally, I have no problem in appreciating the deep truths involved in stories; whether the Ulysses be from Homer or Joyce. Francis On 31 Jan., 12:48, Vamadevananda <[email protected]> wrote: > Neil, I understand " need spotting " and yet do not, considering the > nature of myths. > > Let me first declare that myths are about humanity, human nature, > human emotions, human values and aspirations, human tragedies and > highs, human dilemmas, human fears and courage, human stupidities and > intelligence, human failings and triumphs. > > The historical veracity and factual actuality pertaining to > particulars in myths just does not matter. A myth is what it does, to > me, to children, to people who are hearing it for the first time, for > the nth time, quite in those human terms I have pointed out. > > I find it foolish when people go about looking for history in myths. > Scientists and educated minds who insist on establishing science and > technology inaccuracies in myths are in fact not educated enough. Dare > I say that I find them stupid, vacant in their upper storey ! > > On Jan 31, 3:20 pm, ornamentalmind <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > ...such as the fact that myths need spotting? ;-) > > > On Jan 30, 10:32 pm, archytas <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > Myths, of course, need spotting, as many reel them off as though fact. > > > > On 30 Jan, 16:28, frantheman <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > Speaking of lay people and experts, fiddler, you'll find that the > > > > contributors here are a surprising mixture of both - on almost any > > > > subject you care to mention. Which does, of course, mean that > > > > generalising, off-the-cuff posts are usually an occasion for expert > > > > peer-review ... > > > > > Francis > > > > > On 29 Jan., 22:32, fiddler <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > > sorry, that was more snarky than intended. I'm very pressured and > > > > > frustrated. My paper was written to be viewed by faculty, therefore I > > > > > wrote in simplified terms for lay people. It was SUPPOSED to be > > > > > written as if pending review into a journal. Which of course, needed a > > > > > complete rewrite to remove any ambiguous terms and concepts in order > > > > > to be read and judged by experts... > > > > > > On Jan 29, 12:10 pm, fiddler <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > > > I had to completely revise a paper on soil composition and > > > > > > sedimentary > > > > > > content, that's why I only jump on quickly. Sorry if this isn't > > > > > > anywhere near the top of my priority list. > > > > > > > On Jan 29, 8:50 am, Ian Pollard <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > > > > On 29 January 2010 16:36, Vamadevananda <[email protected]> > > > > > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > > Allan spoke with a reference. The response needs to be likewise > > > > > > > > pertinent. > > > > > > > > Hey, get in the queue Vam! I'm still waiting for Fiddler to give > > > > > > > references > > > > > > > on Venezuela. :) > > > > > > > > Ian- Hide quoted text - > > > > > > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - > > > > - Show quoted text - -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups ""Minds Eye"" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/minds-eye?hl=en.
