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The Origin of Philosophy: The Transition from Myth

to Logos

Fecha: 30 septiembre, 2016Autor/a: luna63900 Comentarios

In the sixth century BC, in Miletus or Asia Minor (Greece), the concept of rational thought was
developed. The Greeks are the first civilization in the Western culture to come into contact with
new cultures, new ways of thinking and understanding the world, which ultimately causes a crisis
of values. This culture is the first to ponder the question of “what is the meaning of life?”, the
concept of “right thought” and how to explain reality. Influenced by other possibilities of life,
Greece begins to consider new challenges, new ways of viewing life and explaining it. This period is
known as “the transition from myth to logos” which we are going to explain in more detail.

WHAT IS A MYTH?

A myth is any traditional story consisting of events that are ostensibly historical, though often
supernatural, explaining the origins of a cultural practice or natural phenomenon. Myths are often
stories that are currently understood as being exaggerated or fictitious.[4] It is derived from the
Greek word mythos (μῦθος), which simply means “story”. Mythology can refer either to the study
of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. A myth also can be a story to explain why something
exists.

Human cultures usually include a cosmogonical or creation myth, concerning the origins of the
world, or how the world came to exist. The active beings in myths are generally gods and
goddesses, heroes and heroines, or animals and plants. Most myths are set in a timeless past
before recorded time or beginning of the critical history. A myth can be a story involving symbols
that are capable of multiple meanings.

A myth is a sacred narrative because it holds religious or spiritual significance for those who tell it.
Myths also contribute to and express a culture’s systems of thought and values.[1]

A myth is a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with
or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, especially one that is concerned
with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature.
 

CHARACTERISTICS OF MYTHS: What is the difference between “mythos”

and “logos”?
 

LOGOS
MYTHOS
 

Mythical thought is an anthropomorphic way Rational thought is not anthropomorphic.

of thinking. The main characters are men or Rational explanations search the natural
figures with human shape, like gods or heroes. causes of phenomena.
  

Mythical thought is arbitrary. Facts in this

world happen because of deities’ will. [Things
happen using unlimited personal power
Rational thought is not arbitrary because it
without considering other people’s wishes.]
looks for explanatory laws and theories in
“Arbitrary” is what someone wants to happen: order to understand the universe.
e.g. “It was God’s will.”

Rational thought is innovative and critical. It is

continuously discovering new laws about the
Mythical thought is traditional. Mythical universe and it casts doubt on old beliefs and
beliefs pass down from parents to children. convictions.

Mythical thought is collective. Myths are Rational thought is individual. Theories are
usually anonymous and shared by a not anonymous because they are defended by
community who feel identified with them. someone (a philosopher, a thinker…).

Rational thought is logical. Its main source is

Mythical thought is fantastic. Imagination is observation, experience and critical
the main source of explanation. rationality.

TYPES/KINDS OF MYTHS

Cosmogonic myth: describes the creation of the world.

Etiological myth: explains an origin, particularly how an object or custom came into existence.

Eschatological myth: is concerned with the future or the end of the world or of humankind.

Moral myth: is concerned with behavioural patterns.

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 ASSIGNMENT
ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:

What are myths?

What are logos?

FIND A GREEK MYTH AND COMPLET THESE ACTIVITIES

Write a summary of this myth (10-15 lines).

What does this myth explain?

What kind of myth is it? Why?