A 7 page, argumentative essay in which the writer attempts to prove that myths have no worthwhile value in contemporary society. It is asserted that myths are so factually incorrect that they serve only to distort history and to confuse contemporary readers. Using examples from various cultures and periods, emphasis is placed upon the fact that myths are greatly-exaggerated and can ever be taken at face value. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Name of Research Paper File: D0_Mythhate.rtf
Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
an ancient literary which quite appropriately has been labeled mythology. The word myth is often mistakenly understood to mean fiction, something that never happened, a
made-up story or fanciful tale. In actuality, myth is really a way of thinking about the past. Mircea Eliade, a historian of religions, once stated: "Myths tell
only of that which really happened." (Detienne, 1986). This does not mean that myths correctly explain what literally happened. It does suggest, however, that behind the explanation
there is a reality that cannot be seen and examined. It is for such reasons that I find it nearly impossible to favorably endorse the
value of mythology in our contemporary society. After all, by definition, myths are not representative of artistic expression, but rather are accounts of that which is not true.
In that sense, they are essentially ignorant tell-tale descriptions which can indirectly serve to distort the thinking of contemporary readers. The Problem of Myths
From a scientific perspective, perhaps one of the most disturbing myths of ancient peoples is the "flood legend. The best-known version is the story found in Genesis,
the first book of the Bible, of Noah and his ark. No scientist today would admit that a flood could ever have covered the whole Earth, with waters reaching
higher than the highest mountains. But ancient Mesopotamia experienced many severe floods. It is likely that one exceptionally devastating flood became the subject of later mythmaking. Perhaps
events from many floods were even woven together to make one large fictional story. (Detienne, 1986). The problem of myths begins when individuals regard