why is mythology a subject in most higher learning institution when its nothing but lies.?

Answer 1

These belief systems helped to form moral, and civil codes that shape all society's. "If you are ignorant of the past, you are doomed to repeat it".

Answer 2

Well, obviously you haven't been to one of those classes in a higher learning institution or you would not be asking this question.

Mythologies all stem from a truth further back in time, and is built up and around to make a point, teach a lesson or get a specific ideal or ideology across.

Mythology presents us with the hero's of time, those bits we need in order to strive for perfection in our own lives or use as role models.

Ancient mythologies give us the basis for today's modern myths, again presenting us with a reason for wanting real hero's and giving us something to strive for.

What about Babe Ruth, or Joe Namath, or Mother Teresa or the Dali Lama. All are inspirations, role models and one day will be part of mythologies in the future.

And will they too be looked upon as lies? No, because as we grow up, we learn that there is a seed of reality buried somewhere in that mythology, and we learn to look past the fantastic story and look to how the hero deals with a situation, how they live their lives and how they were an example to their own people.

You need to look more at the reason for myths. I would very much suggest you read Joseph Campbell's "Masks of God" series of books, there are 4 of them. Also "The Hero's Journey". These books will give you some wonderful insight into mythology, and they are easy to read as Mr. Campbell is a delightful writer. I think you will thoroughly enjoy his work and it will become clear what mythology really is.

Answer 3

First of all, mythology is not a bunch of lies. It's a creation of beliefs that were supposed to be close to the truth. Mythology has connections with archetypical behaviors and patterns, and I don't think anyone could call this lie.
Everybody has a need for myths, even those who find them as lies, and that is great, just because you believe in some myth. The myth that every myth is a lie.

Answer 4

It's most likely because of the influence it has on today's modern civilization. If you ever realize how many sayings or words come directly from these mythological stories you would understand it's impact. We even have football teams that get their names from mythology! Also, mythology was created by our ancestors, and it's our duty to try and understand our ancestors.... this therefore means that we should try and understand what they believed in and why. While studying mythology i knew all along that it wasn't true, but they thought it was. For our ancestors mythology was the only way they could explain their surroundings. We now have science and advanced technology to do that for us. Hope this was a help!

Answer 5

Mythology are not lies. They are illustrative stories meant to form the mind of a student. They are also one of the keys of some of the greatest cultures we know, and provide access to some of the greatest texts ever written. We have become a literal and crude people, and such subtlety evades us, for the most part - but these are not lies, anymore than a novel, or Little Red Riding Hood is a lie.

Answer 6

Mythology is rich in literary values.
Don't you enjoy knowing Achilles' heels?
Read Homer's The Iliad and Odyssey.
You will enjoy the romantic story of Paris and Helen as well as the Trojan Horse for a start. Consequently, you will vicariously enjoy the adventures of the ancient heroes like Jason, the Argonaut.
Then you might stimulate your imagination about the Cyclops, snake haired lady, beautiful goddesses, etc.
If your mental calisthenics is Mathematics, Mythology is another one.
Good luck on your reading.

Answer 7

1. It's fun and everyone needs a 'light' course now and then
2. Fosters cultural understanding and tolerance to learn more about another person's background, no matter how ancient.
3. Many mythologies have at least some roots in the truth. "Dragons" to the ancients, long extinct dinosaurs to us. Which of course...
4. Gives us clues to the workings of the ancient mind and possibly even events and dig site locations. Many Cultural Anthropologists, Archaeologists and other such scientists go over ancient myths all the time during their research.

~Morg~

Answer 8

Mythology is not lie. It exists from the beginning from the mind of men when they started to look at the sky over their heads and noticed the movement of the Moon and the Sun and the stars.
And they started to talk about it and used their own language to express it in mythology.
Would you still say that, for instance, the seasons of the year are lies ?

Answer 9

Lies is hardly the word. Every story in mythology has a bases of fact. It may not have happened the way it is written, but hey! That's why they call it a myth!

Answer 10

You could ask the same question about every religion. Mythology was once widely believed by a lot of people. It's referenced in thousands and thousands of books and poetry and stories, so it's necessary to learn and know so you know what the heck you're reading when you read Shakespeare and Dante and Homer and everyone else.

Answer 11

Because myths and fables have underlyng moral stories that we passed on to each people about ll aspects of life. This was very effective since a kid isn't going to clean his room if all you do is flatly tell him "clean your room" or yell and scream for him to clean his room all of the time. It would be mor effective, for example, to make up some scary story about kid that didn't pick up his room and tell it to the kid at night, and then let hm figure it out for himself. Yes, they are lies, but te message "between the lines" are important. They are an historical record of how values were passed on in different cultures, even if the context is fabricated.