Helmut, Gary F, List

 

The many complex issues in this thread would require a lengthy commentary.  But I'll just make a few remarks on the word myth.

 

In classical Greek, the basic meaning of mythos is (1) word or speech; (2) public speech; (3) conversation; (4)  thing said, fact, matter; (5) thing thought, unspoken word, purpose, design.  (Liddell & Scott, 9th edition)

 

From those basic meanings, it came to be applied to tales, stories, and narratives.  Since many of those stories contained a mixture of fact and fiction and sometimes more fiction than fact, critics such as Plato condemned them as false.

 

But the same criticism could be made of any scientific theories of any time past, present, or future.  The goal of science is a deeper understanding of experience, but any theory is at best a good generalization of certain kinds of experience.  And all scientific theories are eventually recognized as inadequate in one or more ways.  Furthermore, many of the old myths still embody deep insights into human nature and experience -- many of them are still good guides for new scientific theories (abductions).

 

Summary:  Science and myth represent insights (abductions) obtained through a deep analysis of experience.  We should recognize them for what they contribute, but realize that they have limitations which may be clarified and extended by further analysis, and testing against new observations.

 

John