Home » Reading & Literature » Mythology » Mythology and Relevance

Mythology and Relevance

© Wayne Kreger

The Truth of Mythology

Mythology has the power to entertain us and to enlighten us. Though few would disagree with the former statement, some would argue that mythology does little to enlighten us, and they would tell us that mythology is simply fiction. Though to insist mythology is only a fabricated reality may be to some degree correct, it belies the real essence and purpose of myth and devalues what is one of humanity's most valuable creations.

First we ought to establish what we mean by "mythology". We often talk of something being a "myth" - the myth that crocodiles inhabit the sewer system of New York City, for instance. When we speak of myth this way what we really mean is that the idea that any large reptile colonies exist under New York is false. Though this is an appropriate way to use the word myth in a conversational sense, it does not accurately reflect what we mean when we talk of mythology. The distinction can be made clearer in speaking about the well known myth of Atlantis. When we talk of the myth of Atlantis, we take "myth" to mean that Atlantis was not at any time a real place. However, if we look at the first recorded instance of Atlantis in literature (Plato's dialogues Timaeus and Critias - see http://plato-dialogues.org/faq/faq006.ht... we see that Atlantis can be though of as another kind of myth - one used for teaching. Plato used Atlantis (a myth which many believe he created) to illustrate the problems that can exist in civilizations. The mythology here, though manufactured, is much closer to what we would like to call "mythology" - a story used to impart wisdom or to make sense of some aspect of reality, irregardless of its factuality.

So mythology is a teacher - why trust a teacher we know is lying? That is, why grant esteem to Plato's story of Atlantis even though we know that it is not factually true? The problem is in where we are looking for that truth. If we search for archaeological evidence or corroborating stories in contemporary literature we are bound to be disappointed (though many people are still looking for both). If we turn our search toward the intentions of the author, however, our search for truth may be rewarded. The truth in mythology is not in its medium (the story) but in its message - that is, what the author or authors were trying to make us understand. The truth in mythology is the lesson that we learn or the knowledge that is imparted.