Mythological Stories

During prehistory our ancestors lived as hunter gatherers. They had a close relationship with the natural world. Prior to the development of writing, knowledge was passed on verbally from each generation to the next. Weaving ideas into mythological stories made it easier for people to remember them and they could provide people with shared cultural values, helping them to find structure, meaning and purpose in life. The myths often featured magical characters and imagined worlds alongside those of our human world. As civilisations grew, increasingly complex social structures gave rise to stories that provided people with a sense of community. The Enlightenment and The Industrial Revolution gave rise to a world in which science fiction stories emerged as people began to view the world through the lens of scientific and technological innovations.

Individuals depicted within mythological stories could include human beings and animals from the real world, or gods, monsters and other creatures drawn from our imagination, representing natural forces beyond our understanding or control. The myths could be set in environments an audience was familiar with, or some strange world that was alien to their real life experience. Mythology could draw upon deep human emotions such as love, fear or hate, reflecting concerns and aspirations that are common to people across different cultures and periods of history. Myths could be perceived as entertaining tales of heroes trying to protect society, build a better future, failing, succeeding and eventually defeating villains, who are attempting to destroy what is good. Beneath the surface, myths can represent a profound exploration of the human condition and our search for meaning and purpose. They can help us to understand ourselves, our world and what if anything might come next.

Mythology In Contemporary Culture

Characters and stories found in mythology have been represented in creative art forms, such as literature, theatre, painting and music. The frameworks provided by mythology, around which people in the past built their lives, might have been replaced by more rational approaches developed using the scientific method, but ideas and ideals contained within mythology still resonate with people today. Within contemporary culture, content delivered through television, film and computer games often draws upon themes found in mythology, such as the heroes journey. The global popularity of movies, books and games that feature archetypal heroes on epic adventures indicates that there are fundamental deep seated qualities that human beings share. Some psychologists have studied mythological stories, to gain a greater understanding of how humans perceive themselves, other people and the world around them. Characteristics of the archetypes they find are reflected in The Five Factor Model.

Finding Meaning and Purpose In Life

As civilisations became increasingly complex and remote from the lives of people who lived during prehistoric times, mythology lost much of the direct relationship to their lives our ancestors might have felt. Science has explained a great deal about how the world works, removing many of the fears that shaped the lives of people who lived hundreds of years ago. However, people today have very real fears to live with, often resulting from the powerful technologies we have developed, that have provided millions of people with longer, healthier and happier lives, but also damaged the lives of many. There is concern about issues we can influence, such as climate change, but also forces beyond our control, such as volcanic eruptions and asteroid impacts. Just as our ancestors sought meaning and purpose in mythological stories, many people today look to movies, television, books and games to entertain, inform and help them understand and feel part of the society in which they live.

Creating A Personal Mythology

Many people feel lost, isolated and uncertain about the future. They might long for continuity, community and structure in their life. Thought leaders and influencers who recognise and draw upon such needs in other people, might offer a refuge their followers can escape into or a hopeful future they can aspire to. However, without an overarching narrative to their life people are at greater risk of being misled and their sense of belonging might be short lived. Some follow a particular belief system, or form their own worldview based upon personal experience and observation, along with what they learn from others. However, you could create your own personal mythology. You could begin by creating an imagined world, based upon real life, into which you introduce people and places familiar to you, but in symbolic form. Writing stories set in your imagined world, with yourself as the central character, could help you to resolve issue and chart your own path through life.

Mythology and Philosophy

Emerging from our need to find meaning and purpose, mythology and philosophy are stories about ourselves, each other and the world of reality and imagination in which we live. The understanding of life they form within us can light a path that helps us to find our way through the chaos of existence.

Three Philosophers Walk Into a Pub

I scripted and narrated ‘Three Philosophers Walk Into a Pub‘. The video is located on my YouTube channel @Mythosophic. The audio play features the philosophers, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, who have been transported from ancient Greece to the modern world. They have arranged to meet in a pub, to enjoy a meal and a few beers, while discussing the meaning and purpose of life, drawing upon their personal philosophies.