I'm going to take a stab at answering the questions I asked yesterday. Here is what I've come up with: I've heard it said that the gods speak through mythology and poetry. It's universal. I've also heard it said that philosophy is a frozen form of mythology. In other words, every philosophical idea is associated with a myth. Perhaps this is why an author like Daniel Quinn (Well, he had Ishmael say it to Alan) can say one cannot argue with mythology. It is universal and fluid unlike philosophy which becomes frozen and stiff.
I know that it would be bliss if there was a cafe down the road for me to sit and discuss these ideas.
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3 comments:
If you are going to say philosophy is frozen and stiff why don't you back it up with evidence.
Philosophy has more to do with where we are today than mythology. Mythology has no means of addressing reality. Philosophy does. Unlike philosophy, mythology is devoid of logic and reason.
There are three stages in becoming a functional, operational world - theory, philosophy and practice. Philosophy facilitates a theory so that in may become a practice and reality. That is not something mythology can do.
You may have something particular in mind when you say "every philosophical idea is associated with a myth" What you may be thinking of is the philosophical idea that "all men are created equal". You may be thinking that idea is a myth just like you might be thinking it is bullshit.
Nevertheless, the idea has gone beyond a myth. It is a workable idea, whereas a myth isn't. It is the foundation of American law. It is a theory that can and has been put into practise. Its transcendental idealism helped end segregation and has been drawn on in the struggle for equality for minorities and women. Without first that idea being put forward there would be no hope for the establishing of human rights. It is also the basis for human empathy.
airth10,
I'm with Aristotle when he says, "Poetry is something more philosophic and of graver import than history, since its statements are of the nature of universals, whereas those of history are singulars."
I'm coming more from a depth psychology perspective than a historical one.
You wrote: "There are three stages in becoming a functional, operational world - theory, philosophy and practice. Philosophy facilitates a theory so that in may become a practice and reality. That is not something mythology can do."
Me: That's all well and good but trying telling the gods that.
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