CLAS 203 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Greek Mythology, Comparative Mythology, Euhemerism

• School: McGill University
• Department: Classics
• Course: CLAS 203
• Professor: Margaret Palczynski

Document Summary

There is a long tradition of myth interpretation and in regards to classical myths begins with the. Philosophers searched for the truth" that myths contained, because greek myths have a lot of factors that offend the sense of morality or ethnics, it becomes imperative that myth needs to explained in a justifiable way. Modern theories focus on: content, social function (anthropology, emotional needs myth satisfies (psychology) As human beings develops, the approach to myth develops as well. Investigation of myth fueled by development of greek philosophical thought. Reasoning about causes, effects, and the nature of things. Critical of myth: implausible details, immoral behaviour. The philosophers were offended by immoral, unethical behaviour of gods, irrational details. ): questions the truth of the gods" existence. Other philosophers: myths contain an element of philosophical or historical truth but must be correctly interpreted. Plato"s theory of forms: important truths lie beyond the grasp of human reason.