What is a myth, and how does it relate to us?

[Storm]

I dont know what your question is

If the fiction is popular enough it becomes a myth. evolves so to speak.

So, are the myths of Zoroastrianism no longer myths, then?

It's fairly straightforward.

 

[crimsonlung]

I don't see a difference between myth or fiction, they are both English words and subject to misinterpretation, which is what I am seeing in this thread. Howabout we look at the definitions of the words:

MYTH:
a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, esp. one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature.

FICTION:
the class of literature comprising works of imaginative narration, esp. in prose form.

So my thought on the difference is, a Myth is a story that people once believed or currently believe but can't be proven as fact. While a fiction is a story created to be false for entertainment purposes.

 

[outhouse]

It's fairly straightforward.

i just dont think it is.

dont understand why you have a problem with my simplistic view of a myth.

 

[Storm]

i just dont think it is.

You basically said that the difference between "fiction" and "myth" was popularity. So, I asked whether unpopular stories, like those of Zoroastrianism, are no longer myths.

dont understand why you have a problem with my simplistic view of a myth.

Because it's overly simplistic, as you point out.

 

[Storm]

I don't see a difference between myth or fiction, they are both English words and subject to misinterpretation, which is what I am seeing in this thread. Howabout we look at the definitions of the words:

MYTH:
a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, esp. one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature.

FICTION:
the class of literature comprising works of imaginative narration, esp. in prose form.

So my thought on the difference is, a Myth is a story that people once believed or currently believe but can't be proven as fact. While a fiction is a story created to be false for entertainment purposes.

The dictionary rarely gives the whole picture. It is necessarily oversimplified, with much of the subtler connotations lost.

 

[crimsonlung]

The dictionary rarely gives the whole picture. It is necessarily oversimplified, with much of the subtler connotations lost.

Agreed, but nobody here is going to agree on anything until we agree on the definitions on both. You can't even begin to debate without some common ground.

 

[outhouse]

whether unpopular stories,

that story is not unpopular, it also evolved into a religion

Because it's overly simplistic, as you point out.

are you trying to draw a line between myth and reality????

 

[Ben Dhyan]

My dictionary definition of 'myth' is,..."A traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people".

For example, the 'Big Bang' is a popular myth to explain the beginning of existence, but there are other myths that compete with this as a possible perspective on this question

 

[logician]

My dictionary definition of 'myth' is,..."A traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people".

For example, the 'Big Bang' is a popular myth to explain the beginning of existence, but there are other myths that compete with this as a possible perspective on this question

Let's not confuse scientific theories with myths.

 

[crimsonlung]

For example, the 'Big Bang' is a popular myth to explain the beginning of existence, but there are other myths that compete with this as a possible perspective on this question

this is theory

 

[Ben Dhyan]

Let's not confuse scientific theories with myths.

My dictionary has the following definitions of 'Theory',...1. "A tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena", 2. "A belief that can guide behaviour".

One man's theory is another's myth and vice versa. The "Big Bang" myth as a theory fits the definition,.. "A tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena", but this definition would also be appropriate for some competing theories/myths as to the beginning of existence.

 

[Riverwolf]

Thats great! im not trying to please everyone nor share there belief or lack of

No, but if you want us to take your arguments seriously, it'd be great if you could back them up.

 

[Riverwolf]

Agreed, but nobody here is going to agree on anything until we agree on the definitions on both. You can't even begin to debate without some common ground.

I think the definition that you provided for myth is, while certainly accurate, incomplete. As Storm pointed out, dictionaries necessarily oversimplify for the sake of ease.

But you are correct. Definitions of both words would have been a better addition to the OP. My bad.

 

[outhouse]

No, but if you want us to take your arguments seriously, it'd be great if you could back them up.

I answered "your" questions as to how i feel about the subject .

storm is asking about a unpopular myth that is not unpopular and it s a religion.

how do i answer??.

I did the best I could for the questions given, I believe.

Id be glad to discus this further with you or storm

 

[ellenjanuary]

Christianity ain't myth, it's straight fiction!

Kidding. Then, what's the essential difference between myth and parable?

 

[Riverwolf]

I answered "your" questions as to how i feel about the subject .
...

I did the best I could for the questions given, I believe.

Not really. You did answer my questions, but you didn't really give me any reason to take your answers seriously, nor did you really counter my argument. I posted this in a debate because I want to see some good counter-arguments that have reasonable support.

 

[Riverwolf]

Christianity ain't myth, it's straight fiction!

Kidding. Then, what's the essential difference between myth and parable?

Good question. A parable is a brief allegorical story. That is, parables have 1 to 1 substitutions. Myths, on the other hand, are more subjective.

So, I guess while parables are more specific in terms of their target audiences, myths are a bit more generalized (though still typically aimed at a specific audience.)

 

[outhouse]

Not really. You did answer my questions, but you didn't really give me any reason to take your answers seriously, nor did you really counter my argument. I posted this in a debate because I want to see some good counter-arguments that have reasonable support.

Your asking about myths and fiction

THERES NO SUBSTANCE there, there is nothing to debate.

what arguements could you possibly have over nothing?


I dont get it, what do you want to try and define the limits of mans imagination?


fiction is allot of stuff thast not true it doesnt exist there is no substance

myth is a fictional story that has evolved into a myth

myth means it must be really good lies to gather a following large enough to call it a myth.

What

 

[Riverwolf]

Your asking about myths and fiction

THERES NO SUBSTANCE there, there is nothing to debate.

what arguements could you possibly have over nothing?


I dont get it, what do you want to try and define the limits of mans imagination?


fiction is allot of stuff thast not true it doesnt exist there is no substance

myth is a fictional story that has evolved into a myth

myth means it must be really good lies to gather a following large enough to call it a myth.

What

...did you read the stuff after I asked the questions at all?

 

[outhouse]

My argument is that, unlike a work of fiction, a myth actually serves as a cultural basis.

And I agree

but should you realize? a piece of fiction is a cute little baby myth. Not all grow up quite yet to have a cultural following.

If the fiction is good enough, it will become a myth. what do you want?