Myths are defining narratives that provide meaning and coherence to cultures. While myths are often thought of as fantastical stories, they actually represent how all cultures explain their origins and purpose through shared stories. Throughout history, competing myths have vied for acceptance within cultures. Modern societies also rely on myths, whether through religious texts, philosophy, science, or other defining narratives. Examining one's own myths can reveal the values and worldview they impart. Ultimately, myths represent a universal human tendency to make sense of the world and one's place in it through the stories people embrace.

1. THE INESCAPABLE
STORY
Myth and Human
Culture
Image: @AdiPancaWH

2. Myth: What is It?
• When you think of “myth,” you might think of:
• Greek epics

3. Myth: What is It?
• When you think of “myth,” you might think of:
• Greek epics
• Fairy tales

4. Myth: What is It?
• When you think of “myth,” you might think:
• Greek epics
• Fairy tales
• Urban legends

5. Myth: What is It?
• When you think of “myth,” you might think of:
• The Greek pantheon
• Fairy tales
• Urban legends
• Religious parables

6. Myth: What is It?
• A “myth” in terms of academic research is a “defining
narrative.”
• People define themselves as a group around the stories they
share.

7. Myth: What is It?
• A “myth” in terms of academic research is a “defining
narrative.”
• Cultures transmit
their values through
these stories.

8. Myth: What is It?
• A “myth” in terms of academic research is a “defining
narrative.”
• These narratives explain where a people came from and where
they are going.

9. Myth: What is It?
• *All* cultures produce
myths. Defining narratives
assign meaning and
coherence.

10. Myths: Pop Quiz*
• Choose which of these narratives are “myths:”
a) Many gods inhabit
the cosmos, and
humans are often
their playthings.
(No worries: This is not a graded quiz.)

11. Myths: Pop Quiz
• Choose which of these narratives are “myths:”
b) A pantheon of gods
emerged from one or
two deities, and the
physical universe
followed. Human beings
must be mindful of their
subordinate role to the
gods.

12. Myths: Pop Quiz
• Choose which of these narratives are “myths:”
c) A single deity created the
physical universe and all
the creatures in it. This
deity holds a special
relationship with the
human portion of this
creation.

13. Myths: Pop Quiz
• Choose which of these narratives are “myths:”
d) The universe is governed by laws deduced by science. No deity
is necessary to explain life. Space/Time emerged out of nothing
via natural forces in a rapid cosmic expansion.

14. Myths: Pop Quiz
• Choose which of these narratives are “myths:”
a) Many gods inhabit the cosmos, and humans are often their
playthings.
b) The pantheon of gods emerged from a single deity, and the
physical universe followed. Human beings must be mindful of
their subordinate role to the gods.
c) A single deity created the physical universe and all the creatures
in it. This deity holds a special relationship with the human part of
this creation.
d) The universe is made up of scientific laws, and no deity is
necessary to explain human life. Everything is a product of
material forces, and supernatural forces are unnecessary.

15. Myths: Pop Quiz
• The answer is (e), all of the above.

16. Myths as Defining Narratives
• “Myths” are not just fantastical stories modern culture no
longer needs. Rather, human beings are hard-wired to
explain the world and their place in it through stories. Myths,
as defining narratives, are how we do it, even today.

17. Myth vs. Myth
• Throughout history, defining narratives have competed with
rival narratives in every culture.
• Local gods vs. universal gods
• Many gods vs. one god
• Transcendent god vs. god within everything
• Supernatural agents vs Material world is everything

18. Myth vs. Myth
• Throughout history, defining narratives have competed with
rival narratives in every culture.
• Each are regarded as “true”
by their adherents.

19. Myths as Defining Narratives
• People use ancient texts, philosophical systems, sacred
symbols, and physical experiments to examine the world
they inhabit.

20. Myths as Defining Narratives
• None of these tools provide an escape from “myth” defined
as a common narrative that provides meaning to a culture.
Instead, these tools are used to form raw materials for
those stories.

21. Myth in the World
• Identify elements of your own defining narrative.
• This includes:
• Your faith
• Your scientific perspective
• Your family history
• Your place as a citizen
• Your place in the world

22. Myth in the World
• Identify elements of your own defining narrative.
• What values do you derive from these elements?
• What stories do you identify with that are tied to these values?

23. Myth in the World
• Imagine what someone three thousand years ago would
think of your own defining narrative.

24. Myth in the World
• Imagine what someone three thousand years from now
would think of your own defining narrative.

25. Myth in the World
When studying “myth,” we run into the danger of viewing
ancient peoples or those outside our culture as
fundamentally different than ourselves.
Yet, we all have
defining stories -
narratives, myths - that
provide meaning to who
we are. It is a universal
part of the human
experience.

26. Myth in the World
• Questions to consider:
• What is the relationship between “myth” and “truth?”
• What is the difference between “myth” as defined in the class, and
fairy tales or urban legends.
• Why are stories such powerful vehicles for cultural values?
• What values do you derive from the stories that you most identify
with?
By Walter R. Ratliff