Amber Hayes
REL 2100
Professor Zolondek
October 15, 2017
Religion
Traditionally, the concept of “myth” implies an invented story associated with some miraculous and improbable events that are likely to have never taken place in the real life. However, in case of religious studies, the concept of myth is viewed in a different way since experts in the field of religious studies, such as Joseph Campbell, view the myth not as a fancy story that emerged in folklore under the impact of various factors, but rather as a story based on some actual events that have once taken place but which ultimately transformed into the miraculous story with numerous details that have been added and invented in the course of telling and retelling the myth from one generation to another. The public perceives the myth as an entertaining story which has little or nothing to do with the real life. In the distant past, people took myths for granted and perceived them as a part of their real life. For example, ancient Greeks did not distinguish myths from their real life to the extent that they simply believed that myths and legends they had were true stories. However, such a perspective on myths has faded away steadily and now people have quite a skeptical view on myths. They view myths as stories they may read or listen but which have no relations to their actual life. In …show more content…
Joseph Campbell argues that the myth offers a life model which people can use in the real world. In this regard, myths become didactic and show people the way how to act in certain circumstances. At any rate, the researcher believes that myths intend to teach the audience a lesson to help them to determine how to act in certain circumstances that are similar to those described in the myth. In such a way, people attempted to codify their moral norms and rules and their rules of conduct through
REL 2100
Professor Zolondek
October 15, 2017
Religion
Traditionally, the concept of “myth” implies an invented story associated with some miraculous and improbable events that are likely to have never taken place in the real life. However, in case of religious studies, the concept of myth is viewed in a different way since experts in the field of religious studies, such as Joseph Campbell, view the myth not as a fancy story that emerged in folklore under the impact of various factors, but rather as a story based on some actual events that have once taken place but which ultimately transformed into the miraculous story with numerous details that have been added and invented in the course of telling and retelling the myth from one generation to another. The public perceives the myth as an entertaining story which has little or nothing to do with the real life. In the distant past, people took myths for granted and perceived them as a part of their real life. For example, ancient Greeks did not distinguish myths from their real life to the extent that they simply believed that myths and legends they had were true stories. However, such a perspective on myths has faded away steadily and now people have quite a skeptical view on myths. They view myths as stories they may read or listen but which have no relations to their actual life. In …show more content…
Joseph Campbell argues that the myth offers a life model which people can use in the real world. In this regard, myths become didactic and show people the way how to act in certain circumstances. At any rate, the researcher believes that myths intend to teach the audience a lesson to help them to determine how to act in certain circumstances that are similar to those described in the myth. In such a way, people attempted to codify their moral norms and rules and their rules of conduct through