...Foundations of Mythology Name Hum/105 May 23, 2015 Professor University of Phoenix “How is the word myth used popularly? For example, what does the statement, It's a myth mean? In contrast, how is the word myth used in the academic context?” (University of Phoenix, 2012). Myths have been around for thousands of years and are typically passed down from one generation to the next generation. There are many reasons for these myths to be passed along through the many generations of a family. Certain types of myths that are passed down through the generations help to tell a story which others wise would be dismissed or forgotten and even to help teach future generations about the family history. Myths that are passed down through the generations have really not evidence or even truth to them myths or fables are sometimes stories that are made up an example; Santa Clause, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, and Sandman. Many times myths and fables are told to children to get them to behave, scare, or even to get them to use their imagination. Myths or fables are told to help in the explanation for those questions that are difficult to explain the answers too especially to small children that would not be able to fully understand the concept until they are much older. Some questions like where do babies come from? Some parents tell their children about how the stork dropped them off to their mommy and daddy. “Myths are ancient narratives that attempt to answer the enduring and...
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...Foundations of Mythology Short Answers Tracey Walker HUM/105- WK1- World Mythology June 5, 2014 Sharon Worley A myth is used popularly when it is used in a story or a fact is a legend. Something that is factually true. A myth "Does my butt look big in these?"( Stan Rogal 2006). The word myth can be used to dismiss another culture or belief if it is truer than another’s. It’s a myth means that, something that people believe to be true but isn’t. Something that people will say when telling and explaining something to you wanting you to believe them and think that it is a true fact. A myth is sometimes used as an explanatory narrative to describe how things mysteriously happen in stories and religions. It somehow explains how the world is how it is. The word myth is used in the academic context in a variety of academic setting; its main purpose is to analyze different cultures and their ways of thinking. Within the academic setting, a myth is known as a true fact and over time has been changed within the society. A definition of myth in my own words would be made up stories that explain the existence of different cultures with different religious beliefs from people. Some myths can be legendary stories or just traditional about an event or super hero. I believe different cultures address similar themes as a way to explain a culture's origin and history. For decades myths have been passed on and have become an integral part of many...
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...Foundations of Mythology Oatis Henry HUM 105 April 9, 2015 DR. Sigrid Koepke-Fruend Popularly the word “myth is used to describe urban legends or stories that are not true but told by someone to as if they were true. Academically, the word myth is used to describe ancient narratives that tries to answer human questions such as how the world was created or how the human race what created. The word mythology comes from Greek words such as mythos and logos. Mythology can be described as logical thinking. I would describe myths as an unexplainable or unknown actual event created by individuals to make sense of the unknown such as creation of the universe. Cultures around the world have different myths that all share the basic human desire to understand life and its meaning. Creation is one of the most popular myths that these cultures share. The cultures utilize their surroundings and cultural backgrounds to help the citizens understand the unknown since we all have different backgrounds, it makes sense the stories would differ however, the premise of the story will remain the same. The most unusual creation myth I have come across is the Chinese legend of Pan Gu, Nü Wa and the cosmic egg. While the story is odd for me, it has the overall same purpose as the "big bang theory" or "God created the world in seven days" theory. They all share the same desire to explain the unexplainable. Belief, religion, knowledge, and mythology differ however, they have overlapping characteristics...
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...Foundations of Mythology Korinne Spencer Hum/105 12/22/2014 Cynthia Grant Foundations of Mythology Throughout life we have come across the phrase “that’s a myth” and typically when we hear this we know that there may be little to possibly no truth to it, and maybe even a story from ancient history. Myths can range from different meanings based on who is telling the myth, the culture, and much more. Below there will be information that will elaborate on the many questions of what a myth is, how it is relevant in contemporary culture and the many belief systems that follow through with Myths. What Is a Myth? The word myth has been used on this earth for as long as we know, and is a popular word that is used to generally to tell a story, event, history, or even to describe a legend of some sort or time. Although many myths may be imaginary as told, they are most certainly acknowledged. There is no proof to many of the myths but they hold significance to many, and many hold dear to their beliefs regarding the myths regardless of its minimal proof to be a fact or not. There are many stories that are told from different cultures that have continued to be told through time, and depending on our culture, and who told these stories they follow and hold great significance to many and some will believe them and others may not. The Most common mythological themes across different cultures especially the seven major cultural groups Africa, the Americas, Northern Europe, the...
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...Foundations of Mythology Mythology is often approached with many questions. For some these questions come with confusing answers that may want to send a person running for the hills. Starting with a simple question such as, what is a myth? Starting with basic questions may ease fears and doubts about studying mythology. This paper will attempt to define a myth and will also look at the similarities between myths and different cultures, the relationship between mythology and religions, and how mythology is relevant in today’s society. Myths Defined When we hear the word myth today it is commonly associated with something false. Often myths are related to stories, fables or tales that are not based on facts but traditions or legends that have been passed on throughout time. A myth is a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without determinable basis or fact or a natural explanation, especially one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite or phenomenon of nature. (“Mythology,” 2009) In an academic context the word myth is defined as narratives with legendary plots and mythic elements, while anthropologists define myths negatively as pre-modern thought patterns. (Tofighian, 2010) Similarities Myths from all different cultures share similar themes such as, what is the purpose of life, how we got here, and why do we behave and act the way we do. Myths were used to explain why people...
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...Foundations of Mythology HUM/105 12/8/2015 Ricky Gonzales * * The word myth is used popularly to describe a fable or legend. However Merriam Webster’s definition of myth is closer to how it is used in academic context. Webster’s defines myth as a traditional story of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon. * * In my opinion a myth is a story, legend, narrative, or even a ritual that humans use to attempt to answer things they have yet to understand about the universe or help define our own human behavior. The ancient narratives that we associate with mythology are even today reborn in new retellings of the old stories in the form of movies and new books and other modern remakes. This is because we humans redefine ourselves as a whole, just as we redefine ourselves as individuals. If the entire world were to be decimated today, then hundreds of years from now stories about gods in strange armor flying great airships to distant lands might one day become myth if the understanding of the science of supersonic flight does not make it through the aftermath. * * * Myths address similar or universal themes because it is human nature to attempt to define and understand the world around us. The similarities are due to our innate desire to better understand ourselves. The similarities in creation myths are a great example of this phenomenon. Since...
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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 Mike Cunts University of Phoenix HUM/105 December 15, 2012 Alan West Foundations of Mythology Question One Myth is a word used magnanimously with a story. Myth is just that A story with no hard facts but its purpose is to explain the unexplained. Mythology has been around since humans could speak. People had claimed something is a myth; they are referring to something untrue and a fable. Examples of some popular myths are; that sailors were enticed by beautiful mermaids; beware of great creatures of the seas if they angered the gods. Mythology goes hand-in-hand with the word “mystery”. “Myths are ancient narratives that attempt to answer the enduring and fundamental human questions: How did the universe and the world come to be? How did we come to be here? Who are we?” (Leonard, & McClure, 2004, p. 1). In academia, myth is not defined but used as distinctive history of types of people and groups, with written context reminiscent of past events for the those logic cannot explain. Question Two There are different myths with many groups and cultures. Below are some examples that will describe various culture aspects. Myths help man to make order out of chaos or explain things that he cannot understand. Often, myths are based on ideas that affect human beings, regardless of geography or race. Themes like life and death, fear and anxiety, good and evil, and the perennial question of "Why am I here? " ("The impact of," 2013, p. 1). Myths have...
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...Foundation of Mythology Hum/ 105 July 30, 2012 Mr. Gregory Underwood Introduction Myths have been told to people for years for multiple reasons. Some reasons might be to scare an individual from doing something bad as a teaching tool. Myths haven’t been proven to be true as of yet, but such myths such as the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, vampires, The Boogie man have been told to children as a way to either to encourage the holiday spirit or tell bedtime stories. The truth about myths that they are full of fantasy, mystery and an extended imagination that’s meant to fill the vivid imagination for the listener, so what’s the real reason behind myths and its purpose? Short Questions and Answers How is the word myth used popularly? For example, what does the statement, “It’s a myth” mean? In contrast, how is the word myth used in the academic context? After considering the definition in your textbooks and course materials, write a definition in your own words. Myth is used in society as a fantasy punch line as to tell stories with a vivid imagination to entertain people to be encourage to do or not to do something relevant to them. The statement, it’s a myth means, it’s basically a folk tale with a strong imagination of fantasy and fiction with little truth to back it up. How is the word myth used in the academic context? Myths may use stories to attempt to explain the origins of the social order, or to attempt to justify existing social order. After considering the...
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...Week One Individual Assignment Individual Assignment: Foundations of Mythology Short AnswersWrite 150- to 200-word responses to each of the following: Q How is the word myth used popularly? For example, what does the statement, “It’s amyth” mean? In contrast, how is the word myth used in the academic context? After considering the definition in your textbooks and course materials, write a definition inyour own words. A According to Online Etymology Dictionary (2010) a myth is defined as,“a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a naturalexplanation, especially one that is concerned with deities or demigods andexplains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature” (p. 1).According to Popular Culture Association (PCA)/American Culture Association(ACA) (2012), “many of them have had their roots in real characters and events but with retelling and elaboration have been built up into great 'ripping yarns'”(para. 1). In modern times the word myth is used to refer to a fairy tale, anexaggerated tale that may hold partial truths, or a story to teach a lesson to thereceivers of the story. In an academic context the word myth has changed over time. Myths are ancient narratives that attempt to answer the enduring andfundamental human questions (Leonard & McClure, 2004). I believe the storiesof myths may have some truth within them, but the facts have (over the retelling) been skewed...
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...Foundations of Mythology Running Head: Foundations of Mythology Foundations of Mythology Short Answers Christina Wright University of Phoenix World Mythology Dr. Lawton November 2, 2011 Foundations of Mythology Short Answers How is the word myth used popularly? For example, what does the statement, “It’s a myth” mean? In contrast, how is the word myth used in the academic context? After considering the definition in your textbooks and course materials, write a definition in your own words. The word myth is used popularly in stories or tales that have been told over periods of time that are usually not completely true, but are told in way to be believed as true ("The white hat," 2010). The statement, “It’s a myth” means or refers to something that is not fully true, but it is claimed to be true. It’s basically like if some random person was to tell you a story that something happened to them that was seen as farfetched, in reality no one really knows if it actually happened or not. In contrast, the word myth in academic context is used as follows; Myths are ancient narratives that attempt to answer the enduring and fundamental human questions such as: How did the universe and world come to be? How did we come to be here? Who are we? What are our proper, necessary, or inescapable roles as we relate to one another and to the world at large? What should our values be? How should we behave or not behave? What are the consequences of behaving and not behaving in such...
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...Foundations of Mythology What are myths? Myths are traditional stories in which may describe the origins of the world and of a people. Myths are an attempt to explain mysteries, supernatural events, and cultural traditions. Sometimes sacred in nature, a myth can involve gods or other creatures. And, a myth represents reality in dramatic ways. Many cultures have their versions of common myths. “Myths... attempt to answer the enduring and fundamental human questions: How did the universe and the world come to be? How did we come to be here? Who are we? What are our proper, necessary, or inescapable roles as we relate to one another and the world at large? What should our values be? How should we behave? How should we not behave? What are the consequences of behaving and not acting in such ways?” (Leonard & McClure, 2004, para 3). The English word “myth” comes from the Greek word mythos and has been esteemed from the Greek word logos, both terms translates into English as word or story (Leonard & McClure, 2004,para 7). People have long wondered how the world came into being. They have answered the question with stories that describe the origin of the universe or the world and usually of human life as well. Myths express people's understanding of the world and their place in it. The world's mythologies and religions offer an immense variety of stories. Scholars have discovered that the different cultures fall into broad categories and contain many shared themes. Myths grant continuity...
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...Foundations of Mythology K J HUM/105 August 25, 2014 Philip Fasso Foundations of Mythology Over many centuries, the word “myth” is commonly used in stories or tales that are not entirely true, yet it is told in such a way that it seems factual (White Hat, 2014). For example, the statement, “It’s a myth” could mean or refer to something that is claimed to be true, but it is not completely the truth. Basically, it is similar to being told an unbelievable story by a stranger, but in reality no one really knows if it is true or false. In the academic context the word “myth,” in contrast, is considered as an ancient narrative that attempts to answer the enduring and fundamental human questions such as: How did the universe and the world come to be? How did we end up here? Who are we? What are our proper, necessary, or inescapable roles as we relate to one another and to the world at large? What should our values be? How should we behave? What are the consequences of our behavior (Leonard & McClure, 2004)? After considering the definition in my textbooks and course materials, my meaning of a myth would be a hard to believe story that we are uncertain how authentic it is that is usually told either inspire or warn people. The most well-known mythological topics across various cultures are continuity and stability to a culture, guidelines for and explain the purpose of living, justify a culture’s actions, clarify the unexplained, and offer role models. Similar or universal themes...
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...Foundations of Mythology Short Answers Victoria A. Provencal HUM/105 World Mythology Wednesday, May 30, 2012 Dr. Cherie Turpin In reviewing the text and in performing some research the term “myth” can be defined as way to find out answers to questions that one might have. Myths are sort like stories or tales that try to answer a specific question that one might have, but are not necessarily the correct answers. It is a way to open up the question for research/discussion to see exactly what that question might actually mean to humans and becomes a continuation of various responses. According to our text, the term “myth” is defined as ancient narratives that attempt to answer the enduring and fundamental human questions. (Leonard & McClure, 2004) In during further research and reading, I also found that the word itself comes from the Greek “mythos”, which meant speech or discourse, but later became to mean fable or legend. (Mythology. Encyclopedia Mythica. Retrieved May 29, 2012) Myths from different cultures around the world address such similar or universal themes, because they introduce cultural values and behaviors to us, and, also helps us develop intellectual tools that allows us to look and question our own mythic understandings. Studying myths allows us to learn about other cultures and opens up mind to see things differently with our own view. In thinking about how myths explain the unknown and the tribulation of mankind, it is human nature to ask questions...
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...Foundations of Mythology HUM/105 D. Woodside UoPX By: Kelli Allen November 21, 2015 What are myths? According to our text, "myths are ancient narratives that attempt to answer the enduring and fundamental human operations: How did the universe and the world come to be? How did we come to be here? Who are we? What are our proper, necessary, or inescapable roles as we relate to one another and to the world at large? What should our values be? How should we behave? How should we not behave? What are the consequences of behaving and not behaving in such ways?" Leonard and McLure, (2004) There are many ways that the word myth is used as well as independent definitions and just as many correlations between different cultures for the same myth. Let's look at the foundation of the word myth and all of its implications. The term myth is most popularly used today as something that is false, an untruth if you will – an urban legend; a rumor or a hoax. There are many things here in New Mexico that are considered to be a myth. We are home to thousands of Hispanics. There are many "myths" here in New Mexico about Chupacabras – which are literally translated as "goat-sucker", from chupar ("to suck") and cabra ("goat"). Wikipedia, (2015). We have much livestock here in New Mexico and purportedly, some of them were often times found dead with no blood left and three holes that were punctured in their chests – just one of the stories of this area; and a story that was brought over from...
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