Evolution as Common Creation Mythos for Humanity

[Quintessence]

This thread is not so much of an "evolution versus creation" stripe but is intended to provoke discussion of how the theory of evolution itself can be treated in a mythological and poetic manner similar to religious creationism. I was prompted to create this thread by this blog post, and I will excerpt sections of it here to serve as a basis for discussion.

Evolution (along with the Big Bang) is the creation myth of the modern world. And just in case any creationists are reading this blog, by “myth” I mean “story that provides orientation and meaning” not “made up story.” The creation stories of our ancestors tell how our tribes and nations saw their beginnings, but we live in a bigger world than they did. We need a story that tells us how all creatures came to be – evolution is that Great Story.

1) Evolution confirms our connection to the Earth
2) Evolution confirms our kinship with all humanity
3) Evolution confirms our kinship with all living things
4) Evolution reminds us to be humble.

Thoughts?

EDIT:
In this thread, by "myth" we do NOT mean a falsehoods and we do NOT mean lies!
We mean "myth" in the sense of Joseph Campbell: a story or narrative that offers inspiration and meaning to people's lives. It's not about the literal truth, it's about meaning and purposiveness (which goes beyond the raw science).

Joseph Campbell defined myths as having four basic functions: the Mystical Function—experiencing the awe of the universe; the Cosmological Function—explaining the shape of the universe; the Sociological Function—supporting and validating a certain social order; and the Pedagogical Function—how to live a human lifetime under any circumstances.

 

[Skwim]

So if your "myth" means a “story that provides orientation and meaning” not “made up story.” I presume you're simply asking people to show how the theory(ies) of evolution provide(s) orientation and meaning. Correct?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Considering the few number of people I've met who "believe" in evolution who cannot accurately describe it, I'd say painting it as a creation myth is somewhat correct.

 

[Photonic]

Considering the few number of people I've met who "believe" in evolution who cannot accurately describe it, I'd say painting it as a creation myth is somewhat correct.

I've met a lot of people that can't describe gravity that believe in it. That doesn't mean that it's a myth.

 

[E. Nato Difficile]

In the strictest sense, sure, the concepts of common ancestry and the evolution of species are myths. They describe how we as twenty-first-century humans look at our place in the universe, and constitute our best educated guess as to the explanation for certain natural phenomena. They just happen to be more informed by the scientific method than other mythological constructs.

-Nato

 

[Noaidi]

My question would be 'why treat it as a myth?'

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I've met a lot of people that can't describe gravity that believe in it. That doesn't mean that it's a myth.

It depends on what the purpose of a myth is, and whether something is being used in that regard.

 

[Quintessence]

So if your "myth" means a “story that provides orientation and meaning” not “made up story.” I presume you're simply asking people to show how the theory(ies) of evolution provide(s) orientation and meaning. Correct?

That is the spirit of the author of this blog, yes, so I think it would be good to maintain that here. This is not a new idea; others, particularly the folks at the Great Story, have proposed using evolution as a cultural mythos to bring greater meaningfulness to life and existence.

To address a question Noaidi had about "why would we want to read evolution as mythology," first let's again keep in mind that by mythology we don't mean "lies" or "fiction," we mean narratives that help humans to establish meaning and purpose in life. This is something all of us do, regardless of our religious affiliation. We all look for meaning, purpose, and order in life and we derive that from various sources. Why not look for it in science?

One criticism certain people have of science and of atheism is that these systems of belief strip everything of meaning. They see them as cold and mechanical, lacking a mythology that can give humanity or individuals greater meaning and purpose. However, if evolution is treated as mythos (in addition to as science), suddenly you have a picture that can provide greater context and meaning for human existence. I know I derive religious meaningfulness out of science, but it seems to be relatively uncommon to look at it this way.

There have also been those that have criticized modern societies for their abandonment of mythology in general, even within religions that possess such mythologies. We loose a sense of purpose, of unity, of tradition without a common narrative to ground us. I'm not sure what I think of this particular argument yet, but I do understand something of its logic. Conflicts regarding mythos have a habit of dividing people, and shared mythos tends to unite people. Evolution, as a strongly-backed scientific theory, has a perhaps unique distinction of being able to unite all peoples with a shared mythos. Perhaps such things could, as the blog writer suggested, remind us of our common kinship and reduce the frequency of things like wars? Perhaps too, this is a little idealistic.

 

[Biblestudent_007]

I thought ToE was proven by scientific evidence.

 

[Gjallarhorn]

I thought ToE was proven by a scientific evidence.

For the people who don't take the time to learn the evidence behind it and accept it as proven, it might as well be a myth to them.

 

[Quintessence]

Edited the OP. >_< It seems people aren't quite getting what is meant by "myth/mythos/mythology" for the intention I have for this thread.

 

[Noaidi]

The OP reminded me of Dawkins' book "Unweaving The Rainbow", and I've just read the preface, in which he writes:

"The feeling of awed wonder that science can give us is one of the highest experiences of which the human psyche is capable. It is a deep aesthetic passion to rank with the finest that music and poetry can deliver. It is truly one of the things that makes life worth living and it does so, if anything, more effectively if it convinces us that the time we have for living it is finite."

 

[Skwim]

From the linked site:

"THE GREAT STORY
encompasses meaningful ways of telling the history of everyone and everything. The Great Story is humanity's sacred narrative of an evolving Universe of emergent complexity and breathtaking creativity — a story that offers each of us the opportunity to find meaning and purpose in our lives and our time in history."
​

"Sacred story"? Sounds like these people are trying to personify the nature of the universe so as to foster an emotional or at least personal relationship with it. And with their veneration of certain physical manifestations, like specific geological sites, establish the same sort of trappings to bond with that religions now offer their followers.

The religion of the Cosmic Genesis. Nice I suppose, but to what practical purpose?

 

[Bob Dixon]

Pantheism.

 

[Skwim]

Pantheism.

Well, I am expecting them to drop the "god' shoe" sooner or later.

 

[Quintessence]

Practical purpose? Speaking broadly, finding truth and meaning in life (regardless of the source) serves the very powerful practical purpose of helping us find a purpose and meaning in life that motivates us to actually keep living every day. Without meaningfulness in life, people have a tendency to get depressed and commit suicide. O_O;

I'm not sure that seeing evolution as a creation mythos for humanity necessarily results in a trail of pantheism or an active reverence of nature, though admittedly it can. I think by "sacred" the Great Story folks can mean something more akin to what people like Dawkins mean in Noadi's post. The "god/goddess/deity" word doesn't have to enter the picture if people are uncomfortable with such language.

So often there is talk of the conflict between science and religiosity, but when I think about things like this, I see many ways to eclipse that conflict. Out of the meaningless facts of science can come a sort of religiosity. Not the sort of dogmatic and rigid religiosity that religion is sometimes stereotyped as, but something that draws from science in a positive way.

 

[Skwim]

Practical purpose? Speaking broadly, finding truth and meaning in life (regardless of the source) serves the very powerful practical purpose of helping us find a purpose and meaning in life that motivates us to actually keep living every day. Without meaningfulness in life, people have a tendency to get depressed and commit suicide. O_O;

So the truth of any belief or faith is secondary to its utility. As long as a concept can be invested with a personal meaning that fulfills a need its actual truth need not be a concern, even to the point that it flies in the face of one's reason. That, I would think would be at odds with the mind set that rejects religion in favor of science, logic, and reason. I just don't see it happening with Cosmic Genesis for most non-deists or non-theists. But hey, stranger things have happened.

I think by "sacred" the Great Story folks can mean something more akin to what people like Dawkins mean in Noadi's post. The "god/goddess/deity" word doesn't have to enter the picture if people are uncomfortable with such language.

I didn't see any kind of definition---although I only read a little on the site--- although I did take note of some of the objects they consider sacred.

 

[idav]

This thread is not so much of an "evolution versus creation" stripe but is intended to provoke discussion of how the theory of evolution itself can be treated in a mythological and poetic manner similar to religious creationism. I was prompted to create this thread by this blog post, and I will excerpt sections of it here to serve as a basis for discussion.



Thoughts?

EDIT:
In this thread, by "myth" we do NOT mean a falsehoods and we do NOT mean lies!
We mean "myth" in the sense of Joseph Campbell: a story or narrative that offers inspiration and meaning to people's lives. It's not about the literal truth, it's about meaning and purposiveness (which goes beyond the raw science).

If I could write well enough I might do more fact telling using stories. It seems to be an easier way for people to grasp a concept when they can feel emersed in some story. It also gets the readers more emotionally invested. Reading the religious texts as stories that are trying to get a message across makes it a whole lot easier to appreciate them. This seems all more important when trying to get ideas across to children which is what myths are great for as well.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I can see where it could be said the be the creation story of this time. Afterall any creation story has been how the people of a given believe system believed the world, universe, and life came into being based on what was available to them. I doubt it will every be considered a myth, but it could be that all we have today is only what is best available to us as of now.

 

[gnomon]

It's hard enough to teach people about science as it is. How would mythologizing scientific theories help that cause.

The facts of science are not meaningless.