2. Cool quiz quote
Today, the word ‘myth’ is often used to describe something that is simply
not true. Since the 1800s, we have developed a scientific view of history;
we are concerned above all with what actually happened. But in the pre-
modern world, when people wrote about the past they were more
concerned with what an event had meant. A myth was an event which, in
some sense, had happened once, but which also happened all the time.
Because of our strictly chronological view of history, we have no word
for such an occurrence, but mythology is an art form that points beyond
history to what is timeless in human existence, helping us to get beyond
the chaotic flux of random events, and glimpse the core of reality.
It is therefore a mistake to regard myth as an inferior mode of thought,
which can be cast aside when humans have attained the age of reason.
Mythos therefore, is true because it is effective, not because it gives us
factual information. If, however, it does not give us new insight into the
deeper meaning of life, it has failed. If it works, that is, if it forces us to
change our minds and hearts, gives us new hope, and compels us to live
more fully, it is valid. –Karen Armstrong
4. Our Red-Hot Sexy Definition for Evolution
Changes in the
_________ of ______
over time
5. Our Definition of Cultural Evolution
Changes in the
frequency of memes
over time
The persistence of stories.
6. Because of the 99% of our history…
What’s the perfect individual human?
We’re not entirely at home now.
Mismatches can be great or they can suck.
natural ≠ good
Stories matter.
10. what could possibly go wrong?
Religion
and worldview
The near universal appeal of religious belief suggests a biological component
to religious beliefs and practices, and science increasingly confirms this view.
http://www.salon.com/2014/12/21/religions_smart_people_problem_the_shaky_intellectual_foundations_of_absolute_faith/
11. Where does the sacred come from?
We know what sentimental value is. Really.
We know a ritual is repeated and symbolic.
We know more humans = more powerful.
14. Beliefs about nature and character of
supernatural powers. Assigning agency.
Rituals intended to include or direct these
powers for the benefit of the group
Enacted & Lived
Myths/Stories
Universality
Components of Religion
15. Some of the BIG things humans ask
Why are we here?
Why am I here?
What happens after death?
Why is there evil and suffering?
What’s the right thing to do?
How do we survive?
16. What sorts of shapes has religion taken?
In Judaism, Christianity, and Islam the supreme
being is all-knowing and all-powerful, expects
sacrifices or worship, and is mindful of human
behavior and morality.
Greek / Roman gods get involved but were flawed
personalities that mirrored human stories.
Animism (eg: Kami)
interaction w/ spiritual agents
in nature and afterlife.
17. Anthropology asks:
why do humans have religion?
A curious species seeks answers
Emotional reassurance, well-being, fear
Order on the playground / Social stability
Intellectual
Psychological
Sociological
18. Religious beliefs provide explanations for
puzzling things and events.
Intellectual / Cognitive Theory of Religion
19. Humans commonly believe that common
misfortunes are caused by spiritual powers.
Witchcraft: belief that
misfortunes are caused
by the action of some
evil human who is using
supernatural powers
against the affected person.
Supernatural Explanations of Misfortune
20. Psychological
approaches hold that
religion helps
individuals and groups
cope with crisis,
uncertainty, grief,
stress, trauma, and
other emotional
distress.
Psychological Theory of Religion
21. Israeli prayer = lower
measured stress levels
Psychological Theory of Religion
Cope with drought,
or other changes
23. Religion maintains the
institutions of society
by instilling common
values, creating solidarity,
and controlling behavior.
Sociological Theory of Religion
24. Anthropology’s Categories of Religion
Individual
Communal
Shamanistic
Ecclesiastic
Generally associated with different levels of
cultural complexity. Thass like, science, bro.
25. Individualistic religions
Individuals have direct, personalized
relationships and interactions with one or
more supernatural powers, who serve as
guardians and protectors.
(Now) always practiced within one of the
other religious categories.
29. Communal religions
Members of a group cooperate to perform
rituals intended to benefit all. (harvest, ____)
Part-time religious specialists
Elders often manipulate symbols or address
the supernatural.
Often animistic
36. Shamanistic religions
Religious organizations in which certain
individuals (shamans) have access to and
relationships with supernatural powers that
ordinary people lack.
Shamans often part-time
Can be ≈ animism,
but larger & for
group benefit
39. Ecclesiastic religions
In complex chiefdoms & states
legitimizes ruling class / power structure
Dawn of intensive agriculture
dealing with new social complexity
Full-time religious specialists, hierarchy
Legitimized by govt – taxes, tributes
40. The rituals which priests officiate occur at
regular intervals
The gods that the rituals are intended to
appease demand regular praise or sacrifice.
There is a strong distinction between priest and
layperson.
Priests in Ecclesiastical Religions
42. Buddhism
~500BC Siddhartha Gautama
4 Noble Truths
There is always suffering in life
Attachment is the cause of suffering
Enlightenment can remove attachment
Proper practice is the path to enlightenment
43. Buddhism
4 Noble Truths
Existence is suffering
Desire, or thirst, is its cause
The cessation of suffering is possible
The Eightfold Path is the method
49. Islam
~700CE
Life of Mohammed
The 5 Pillars
-make a declaration
-5 daily prayers
-give to the poor
-fast during Ramadan
-do the Hajj if able
50. Islam - Blue Mosque, Istanbul
Blue Mosque, Istanbul
51. Islam
Sunni and Shia (~85% / 15%)
Schism after the Prophet’s death
Shia = ‘Party of Ali’ differences about inheritance
politics of the caliphate
somewhat more messianic, mystical
losses = rituals of martyrdom & grieving
http://www.diffen.com/difference/Shia_vs_Sunni
54. Cool Karen Armstrong
Today, the word ‘myth’ is often used to describe something that is simply
not true. Since the 1800s, we have developed a scientific view of history;
we are concerned above all with what actually happened. But in the pre-
modern world, when people wrote about the past they were more
concerned with what an event had meant. A myth was an event which, in
some sense, had happened once, but which also happened all the time.
Because of our strictly chronological view of history, we have no word
for such an occurrence, but mythology is an art form that points beyond
history to what is timeless in human existence, helping us to get beyond
the chaotic flux of random events, and glimpse the core of reality.
It is therefore a mistake to regard myth as an inferior mode of thought,
which can be cast aside when humans have attained the age of reason.
Mythos therefore, is true because it is effective, not because it gives us
factual information. If, however, it does not give us new insight into the
deeper meaning of life, it has failed. If it works, that is, if it forces us to
change our minds and hearts, gives us new hope, and compels us to live
more fully, it is valid.
55. Myths are:
Oral or written stories about supernatural
powers and cultural icons.
True
Glue
Explaining stories
Repeated / standardized
Sum up Worldview
56. Ishmael’s definitions
a culture: a group of people
enacting a story
to enact: to live in such a way as
to make the story a reality.
a story: a meme explaining who we
are, where we come from, and the ‘big
picture’ of why we’re here.
60. FOR NEXT
TIME…
No mo quizzos, yo
Nothing for next Wednesday!
MINI ETHNOGRAPHY PAPER DUE END OF 12/13
12/14
FOOD?...
Week 11: PRESENTATION: see Doc Sharing. Have fun!
EXAM: is not a huge deal… A doublequiz
-Reread your nots and my slides online.
62. Ishmael’s definitions
a culture: a group of people
enacting a story
to enact: to live in such a way as
to make the story a reality.
a story: a meme explaining who we
are, where we come from, and the ‘big
picture’ of why we’re here.
Editor's Notes
procedurally generated game
WOMENS TEARS ARE PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS
PERFECT HUMAN? Workstyles haphazard vs linear organized………………..
Remember the metaphor of fat & sugar
20:10
In particular, the archaeological evidence of behaviors thought to be unique to Homo sapiens, which appear first in Africa around 170 ka, highlight the importance of symbolism, complex cognitive behaviors, and a broad subsistence strategy
Stress, then timer
How do humans find sacred?
We KNOW it via mythos
Agency – remember we called it /worldview?
ICON usually people, can be a place or object
Just 3 examples….
**something about – how WE interact with thte supernatural/divine. Christ’s focus is on us, it’s our job to interact correctly with the kami and animism spirits
KAMI are elements in nature, animals, creationary forces in the universe, as well as spirits of the revered deceased.
Make our living by our big brains
Intellectual/cognitive theory
What’s being coped with here?............
Impossible NOT to ask, what happens next?......................
It’s too horrible to think of ending?
Les talk about thissun
spiritual quest alone in the wilderness, often in conjunction with fasting, lasting for a number of days. It is traditionally a turning point in life taken to find oneself and establish or clarify one's intended spiritual and life direction and PURPOSE………………… Traditionally, a Guardian animal will come in a vision or dream, and one's life direction will appear at some point.
Fear & solitude = appreciation of group
Rite of passage or healing or pennance
Before a vision quest is started the quester is purified in a sweat lodge, often over many days. On the day of the quest they start their fast at sunrise. They also forgo sleep and food. They give up all that it takes to live in the physical world and rely on the strength of spirit to sustain them for the duration of the quest.
The quester is purified one last time in a sweat lodge ceremony and then taken to the designated place of the quest. There they will stay without food, water or sleep for one to four nights. During this time the person focuses their heart, mind, body, and spirit on the guidance they are seeking. They must overcome their earthly wants and desires and face their human nature to fully receive the Vision.
Another common belief about the fate of souls after death is that they interact with and affect the living, especially their descendants.
Imbue bundles…………….
Ceremonies are of two types: “healing” and “seeing.” In the first case, the emphasis is on purifying an individual, while the second – at the opening of the so-called “third eye”. By the way, if the purpose of tourists’ participation in the ritual is healing, one should get prepared in advance. And not only during the entire route, while making the way through impenetrable jungles, but still adhering to a specific diet at home.
Nigerian voodoo…….fighting illness……..breaking bad luck……….invoking good/bad forces = animism
Sumatran rite of passage - what do you think they talk about?...................learning nature…….relationship w/animals and each other………
from Greek, of an assembly of citizens,
Ecclesiastical forms are regularly found in complex chiefdoms and states, where they legitimize and rationalize the powers and privileges of ruling families and elite classes Cain & Abel
…………Link agricultural surplus and arts, powerful groups, competition, new structures, city states bickering, empires, NEW STUFF, NEW COMPLEXITY
FullTime = distinction betweeen you & a specialist
Dukkha: all temporary things and states are unsatisfying;
The start of dukkha: yet we crave and cling to these things and states; thereby, we're continuously reborn;
The end of dukkha: if we stop craving and clinging, we won't be reborn;
How to end dukkha: by following the Buddhist path, namely behaving decently, not acting on impulses, and practicing mindfulness and meditation to aid this selfcontrol.
What is a testament? Belief that god speaks via inspiration. Not everyone centers religion on written word. In fact – who else besides the big 3?
What are characteristics?
Not really a ┼ civil war, but at the end of Rome.
Islam = submission/surrender
ORTHOPRAXY for jews & muslims
Christians fast too, what’s the function?
No animals in art, intentional flaw
Hajj = charity to poor as well, white garments’ equality,
Heaven & hell…..
The Shia claimed the right of Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, and his descendants to lead the Islamic community.
Ali was killed as a result of intrigues, violence and civil wars which marred his caliphate. His sons, Hassan and Hussein, were denied what they thought was their legitimate right of accession to caliphate. Hassan is believed to have been poisoned by Muawiyah, the first caliph (leader of Muslims) of the Umayyad dynasty.
His brother, Hussein, was killed on the battlefield along with members of his family, after being invited by supporters to Kufa (the seat of caliphate of Ali) where they promised to swear allegiance to him……………………………………
MORE MYSTICAL……………………………….. These events gave rise to the Shia concept of martyrdom and the rituals of grieving.
There is a distinctive messianic element to the faith and Shias have a hierarchy of clerics who practise independent and ongoing interpretation of Islamic texts.
Jus cuz it’s casual doesn’t mean it’s unimportant in their lives, it can actually means it’s more integral
are more than stories they tell after dark or recite on appropriate occasions. Myths help to form a people’ s worldview: their conceptions of reality and the interpretations of events that happen in society and the natural world. Worldview and myths affect people’ s beliefs about how they ought to relate to the world and to one another and therefore they affect how people behave in their everyday lives.
St andrew
PRESENTATION; be prepared, see instructions!
why did Bob's drowning story etch into the mind (Crocodile)? encode meaning & values & ways to....
HOLISTIC = everything about people, living or dead. economy, music, marriage, books, stories, sports, fashion, technology, genetic makeup, family lives, political systems, relations with nature, and emotional responses. family life, economic forces, relationships between the sexes ART The holistic perspective means that no single aspect of a human culture can be understood unless its relationships to other aspects of the culture are explored DIRECT = participatory, long term fieldwork
RELATIVISTIC - we don’t judge, that’s the sacred hat,
MiniEthnography: these are the criteria and your goals.
