I think that one of the most contrasting things about ideas in ancient times versus now is how science was viewed. Science was viewed more as a mystical study. The ancients viewed many more things as supernatural. However, now we can explain most things through physical science. People do not view many things ,if any, as supernatural in current times. Also, many people now believe that they are their own master. Our culture tells us that we can be whatever we want to be, and that we can make our own rules. However, people in ancient times were not as educated generally as we are now, so they were more reliant on authorities (i.e. priests, kings, lords) to tell them how to live their lives, and that created a much different atmosphere than now.
4. How can understanding a culture's basic worldview help us better understand or interpret its
history?
To truly understand the history of another culture, you need to step into their shoes, and see the world through their eyes. This is necessary because if something happened in a culture's history, we can view what happened and probably get most of the facts right, however if we are not thinking like they do, and understanding their worldview, then we can't understand how this occurrence will affect them. Seeing the world as another culture does can help immensely to understand how their history affects them.
How would you define mythology?
I would define mythology as the way a culture believes how something happened that usually entails supernatural elements. mythology can also be a story that is either accepted as a truth, or accepted as a great legend. Elements of these stories include a hero, and often times again supernatural phenomena. Humans have a longing and fascination with the supernatural, and that comes through in mythology
No comments:
Post a Comment