CLASS 40 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Solar Phenomena, Comparative Mythology, James George Frazer
Document Summary
Myths contain profound truths even though they seem impossible. Modern times- myths are studied by anthropologists and psychologists. Greeks were rational (fully self-conscious and critical of their own traditions) Mythical explanations- cause and effect about the nature of things. Greeks criticized myths for their implausibility and irrationality. Xenophanes complained of the ethical weakness of the olympians: questioned the existence of the gods, plato also severely criticized myths for their false image of reality, idealism- belief in values not apparent in the material world. Myths could have philosophical or historical truth. Greeks argued myths are allegories (saying something different from what appears to be said: ex. Story of daphne and apollo- allegory for chastity and symbol of virginity. Theagenes is said to have been the first to use the allegorical method. Stoic philosophers argued that myths contained truths about the origin of the universe: ex. Etymology- true meaning of a word, used to reinforce allegory.
