Philosophy of Myth Analysis

Questions and Answers

What does Bascom's definition of myth primarily reflect?

Historical accuracy

Essentialist bias (correct)

Cross-cultural universals

Cultural tendencies

All myth-producing cultures share many common traits.

False

What term did Ludwig Wittgenstein use to describe the relationship between different members of a category?

Family resemblances

Myth might be more usefully defined as a narrative which is considered socially , and is told in such a way as to allow the entire social collective to share a sense of this importance; legend is less or for only part of that society; folktale is even less .

important Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential issue with insisting that a myth must be a 'traditional tale'?

It might exclude contemporary myths Signup and view all the answers

What does Bruce Lincoln define myth as?

Ideology in narrative form Signup and view all the answers

What underlying factor determines the distinctions between types of tales according to Bascom?

The weight attached to the tales Signup and view all the answers

What is typically the final step in a process of empirical discovery according to the text?

Definition Signup and view all the answers

Which option describes a common weakness among definitions of myth?

Selectivity Signup and view all the answers

In the anecdote of the three blind men, what animal were they trying to define?

An elephant Signup and view all the answers

A folktale is considered as true by its narrator and audience.

False Signup and view all the answers

According to Bascom, myths are considered to be ______ accounts of what happened in the remote past.

truthful Signup and view all the answers

Which cultures did Bascom use to illustrate the distinction between myths and folktales?

The Trobriand Islanders Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does Bascom highlight as important for classifying narratives?

The mode of delivery Signup and view all the answers

Bascom's definition of myth excludes written texts.

True Signup and view all the answers

Match the following categories of narratives with their descriptions:

Myth = Embodiment of dogma, usually sacred Legend = Tells of past heroes and events Folktale = Considered fiction, set in any time or place Signup and view all the answers

What does Bascom mean by 'prose narrative' in relation to myths?

A form of oral recitation of a tale. Signup and view all the answers

What warning do the Ashanti narrators typically provide when telling tales?

We do not really mean... Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Myth

Definition of myth is viewed as not necessarily innocent; it can reflect the biases and theories of the definer.
Myth definitions often come at the end of theoretical processes, influencing acceptance without presenting full arguments or evidence.
Comparison and ideological perspectives are central to understanding different definitions and interpretations of myth.

Cautionary Tales in Defining Myth

Stith Thompson's blind men and the elephant anecdote illustrates selective definitions of myth.
Myths are often categorized based on predetermined theories, leading to circular reasoning.
Plato's definition of "Man" challenged by Diogenes highlights the peril of overly broad or narrow definitions.

Classifying Myths, Legends, and Folktales

Three categories:
- Myths are sacred prose narratives seen as truthful accounts from the remote past.
- Legends are considered true by narrators but set in a more recent context.
- Folktales are viewed as fiction.
All three involve oral traditions and may share narrative structures.

Characteristics and Functions of Myths

Myths embody dogma, often sacred or related to theology and rituals.
Main characters in myths include deities, animals, or culture heroes, differing from legends where characters are usually human.
Myths explain origins of the world, humanity, and natural phenomena, often including divine or cultural narratives.

Critique of Definitions

Bascom's definition is criticized for being too broad, relying on empirical observations and potentially distorted by cultural biases.
Concerns about the focus on orality dismiss important written ancient mythologies like the Iliad or Epic of Gilgamesh.
Historical context demonstrates that distinctions between myth, legend, and folktale originated within specific cultural frameworks, particularly Western.

Cultural Concepts and Relativity

Myth interpretations vary widely across cultures, questioning the universality of definitions.
Comparatists may impose their own cultural assumptions, risking oversimplification of non-Western mythologies.
Total reliance on empirical criteria may overlook deeper cultural meanings and social contexts of narratives.

Challenges of Comparison

The method assumes myth-producing cultures share simple, undifferentiated characteristics, which might not hold true.
Definitions of myth are subject to biases of the comparatist's background, limiting objectivity.
Essentialist definitions based on presumed shared traits may inadequately capture the complexity of mythological narratives.

Conclusion on Myth Definitions

Attempts to rigidly define "myth" encounters problems understanding cultural categories and using formal criteria.
Recognizing the fluidity of concepts is essential for meaningful engagement with myths across varied cultural landscapes.### Wittgenstein's Theory of Family Resemblances
Concept illustrates difficulties in defining categories like "games" through a shared commonality.
Defines "family resemblances" as overlapping similarities among members of a category.
Activities labeled "games" due to their resemblance to existing games; categorization involves cultural arbitrariness.

Genre Classification in Literature

Genre categories: myth, legend, folktale, assessed by cultural significance rather than fixed criteria.
Essentialist definitions are problematic; cross-cultural patterns in narrative genres may exist, but universals are elusive.
Cultural products can have distinct classifications that vary by cultural lens.

Bascom's Contributions to Genre Study

Bascom's study emphasizes observer biases in defining narrative categories.
Classification criteria focus on reception, filtering out subjective essentialism.
Importance ascribed to stories influences classification: myths viewed as socially important narratives.

Distinctions Between Myth, Legend, and Folktale

Myth defined as a narrative of socially significant importance, shared collectively.
Legend holds lesser importance, potentially only relevant to parts of society; folktales are even less significant.
Placement of stories within these categories is fluid and varies across cultures.

Social importance of stories illustrated by the gradation of character types: gods, heroes, ordinary men, and animals.
More significant stories often come with greater ceremonial presentation and prohibitions.
Truth defines stories' social importance rather than their factual accuracy; frequent allusion in social discourse indicates importance.

Contemporary Relevance of Myths and Legends

Modern definitions often incorrectly limit myths and legends to traditional tales, disregarding current events and figures.
"Legends in their own time" highlights how contemporary narratives can gain legendary status.
Myths serve as a function of social ideology, relevant across varying contexts and time periods.

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Description

Explore the intricate dynamics of myth as discussed in Nietzsche's work. Analyze how definitions shape our understanding and the influences they carry. This quiz delves into the philosophical underpinnings of myth and its role in perception.