- Question
What is the purpose of mythology?
From the Greek pantheon to the Roman Dii Consentes to the Nordic gods and goddesses, mythology has played a major role in human culture for centuries. Evidently, the stories these people told shaped their societies, worldviews, and day-to-day lives, but why did they tell them in the first place?
Mythology explains the world
At its core, mythology is meant to help people better understand, relate to, and connect with the world around them, as well as the conflicts inside of themselves.
Mythology manifests humanity's subconscious
This position holds that mythology manifests humanity's subconscious. It argues that myths serve as gateways to the hopes, fears and desires locked within the human psyche — that they are, in effect, the dreams of a culture, expressing collectively what individuals dream alone.
Mythology unites societies
This position holds that the purpose of mythology is to unite societies. It argues that by creating common beliefs and encouraging shared, widely practised rituals, myths bind entire cultures together — giving disparate people a common story and identity to hold in common.
Mythology is divine revelation
This position holds that the purpose of mythology is divine revelation. It argues that myths are not mere fairy tales or comforting metaphors but literal accounts of real divine beings — sacred truths handed down, and still believed by adherents, rather than invented stories.