RS260 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Extended Metaphor, Hans Jonas, Carl Jung
Document Summary
Represent or remind us of things but rely upon learned associations. Present or make present the thing symbolized. Symbols can bring together a group of ideas for a given community. Parable much more developed metaphor that makes one think. Attempts to function as true science (e. g. creation stories) Attempts to reconcile myth with science (e. g. world created in six days represents years) Abandon myth for science myth is the primitive counterpart to natural science. Anthropological/social function (malinowski) support beliefs, moral social teachings, explain things that cannot be explained (e. g. death), assist with dealing with suffering. Philosopher l vy-bruhl myths help preserve a sense of oneness with other human beings, and thus promote a mystic symbiosis . Structuralist l vi-strauss myths can help to resolve contradictions and deal with binaries (e. g. culture/civilized vs. nature/animal) Phenomenological function (eliade) myths deal with sacred time (e. g. beginning of the world) and explain how things came to be.
