...Cosmic Creation Myths Across Cultures Alexi LaBrenz HUM 105 Professor Jordan “Chris” April 10, 2016 Cosmic Creation Myths Across Cultures When discussing different cosmic creation myths, something to remember is the style of creation myth it is. There are nine different styles of myths when talking about creation: accretion or conjunction, secretion, sacrifice, division or consummation, earth-diver, emergence, two creators, deus faber, and ex nihillo. For the purpose of discussing the Norse creation myth, and the Genesis myth focus will be on secretion, division or consummation, deus faber and ex nihillo (Leonard, 2004). Genesis: The Creation Account Arguably one of the most well-known mythological account of how the world came to be is the story of Genesis. Before divulging into the myth itself, there are two different styles of creation presented. The first is deus faber - wonder of nature, intricacy and complexity of life, and secondly, ex nihillo – of god, creating out of chaos (Leonard, 2004). In the beginning of the world, according to Genesis, there was nothing but God. Then God took seven days, which symbolize the seven days of our week. On the first day, Sunday, God created heaven and earth. Not finished with his creation, he created light on the second day, and with light came darkness, this is what is now know as night and day. On the third day he created water and land, followed by vegetation. On the fourth he created the stars to give light to...
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...Theories of Myth Name HUM105 Date Instructor Theories of Myth The theory of Vico in the 1700’s reorganized perception of mythology and his efforts to rationalize these “ideal histories” in an understandable fashion permanently changed the orientation of perception of the world regarding myths (Leonard & McClure). His personal life focus was to identify cultural iconic symbols and stories, preserve and organize them into an understandable format so as to make these ancient writings into an approachable and useable format for all of humanity. This important effort forever made myths accessible to the masses and by doing so, removed some of the built-in mystery and vagueness that gives ancient myths their charm. However by doing so, the preservation of story and symbols has forever connected humanity within itself in an identifiable and understandable way. Sir William Jones provided a further tangent in the 1800’s by solidifying the scholarly fact that all languages were given rise by a proto-Indo European language that provided the basis for cultural and geographical separation (i.e. separate languages and subsequently separate cultures) based on location and even cultural identities (Leonard & McClure). As a recognized authority on many languages, Jones’ template of the origin of language built upon the commonality of early mythology identified by Vico in the previous century. This commonality links humans in an imperturbable way, and cements our...
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...Foundations of Mythology HUM105 Foundations of Mythology In the popular context, the word “myth” is generally used to describe urban legends. Urban legends are false stories, told as if they were true, and passed on to others. Myth, in this context, is defined as stories that undergo a series of events sharing characteristics of legends and folktales. These stories, present themselves in our everyday lives through fictional characters, such as Tooth Fairy or Cupid. In an academic setting, the word “myth” is used to describe ancient narratives that attempt to answer the enduring and fundamental human questions such as creation (Leonard & McClure, p. 1, 2004). The word mythology is derived from both Greek words mythos and logos. The academic study of mythology could be described as the logical thinking used to produce mythical thinking; hence mythos forms the structure in which logos is employed. I would describe myths as an unexplainable or unknown actual event created by individuals to make sense of the unknown. Creation is a perfect example of this. Cultures around the world have different Myths. They all share the basic human desire to understand life and its meaning. Claude Lévi-Strauss expresses similar sentiments about myth’s functions when he postulates that myths serve to mediate conflicting or dualistic elements of society and life and conflicting nature of human beings are same around the world. (Leonard & McClure, p. 18, 2004). ...
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...Foundations of Mythology Dayana H Febres Aponte World Mythology HUM105 08/12/2015 Prof. Lester Lopez Nieves Foundations of Mythology Mythology is in my opinion if not a well-known subject it is by far a very much talked about subject. Everyone I know I know always has different type of opinion or ways of seeing what exactly mythology is. Well, know I get the chance to further my knowledge and understand a little more about what mythology is exactly and have my own opinion about it. After reading the chapters and analyzing them the word myth is defined in my words as some type a story, maybe even a special story that concerns early history of some people or some type of explaining of a social or natural phenomenon. In my opinion it involves supernatural things or events. So, the statement "It's a myth" can mean different things to different people. To me it means something that is maybe unexplainable or not real, but to other it may mean some type of historic event that were told when they were children and to this day believe it is true. If I were to describe "myths" in my own words I will say that myths is something that we grow up with. Where I am from they taught me about "El chupacabra", this in Puerto Rico means some kind of animal that lives in the woods and eats cows. In some other understanding I will say it sometimes means history of our ancestors that many times we find them hard to believe. In the world we live in today...
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...Levi Martin, 70547 HUM105.FA13.ZD November 24, 2013 When considering the world and the general view of what ethics would consist of, many possibly would think that it is simply the code of humanity. In general ethics is possibly the most diverse and complex system of theories used daily. On a day to day basis many humans and animals are a like in which they will survive merely on the use of ethical decision making. Ethical living will primarily consist of decisions and choices, values and morals, consequences and results. To live a good life and to be good at living is greatly influenced by the happiness and outcomes attained through decision making. As I read and studied through this class, I pin pointed three main details that I believe can and will help me on a day to day basis in both my personal and professional life. Out of all things the first that I will need to make a point in my life will be the Golden Mean. By this it is meant that anything in life should be done with great moderation- food, spending money, saving money, work, and leisure activities. You should not spend all your time working, nor should you spend too much time not working. To enjoy activities fully, you should make it healthy moderation a key point in your planning. If you were to not do your job or your schoolwork, because you would rather spend time with friends or vacationing, the end results would be loss of educational tools or loss of job, therefore no income. You would not...
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