Mankind has always sought to understand the world around him. In the early ages, myths were the source of explanation. They explained such things as natural phenomena and the origin of man. Many people today consider science to be the mythology of the modern era. Science is knowledge acquired by observation, by deduction and by testing. Science is not the mythology of the modern age as it is universal, constantly expanding human knowledge, and is based on fact, not belief.
Science is universal, while myths are created by different people and are unique to that specific group. For example, Sir Isaac Newton’s law of graity is universally accepted. No one can try to contradict this theory because of the ample evidence of tests and observations. On the other hand, two myths createdby differnet cultures will deal with the same topic differnetly. For example, Zeus controls thunder and lightning in Greek myths, while Thor is the Viking god of thunder and lightning.
Science is progressive and in a constant state of change. However, myths generally stay the same. They simply explain an event or experience and the basic storyline never changes. For example, knowledge from the myth Demeter and Persphone hasn’t advanced since the time it was created. However, advances in science are made every day. For example, the Wright brothers plane, to the latest spacecraft.
The Essay on Understanding Eskimo Science Knowledge People Nelson
In Richard Nelson's "Understanding Eskimo Science" a man, Nelson, traveled below the Arctic Circle in the boreal forest of interior Alaska were he lived, studied and interacted with a few native Eskimos groups during the mid-1960's. Throughout the article Nelson provides an abundance of interesting and relevant information about Eskimo survival coming about through the understanding of one's ...
Science is based on facts and knowledge and is proven, while myths are rooted in beliefs, hopes and fears. In science, all statements must be proven before they are accepted. However, myths are accepted because of a sense of belief, with no form of factual basis. For example, Sir Isaac Newton’s third law of motion is based on observation and testing, not belief. A good example of belief is Demeter and Persphone. This myth gives people the explanation for why there is different seasons.
In todays society there are many believers that science is the mythology of the modern age. However, science is universal, constantly changing, and is based on fact, not belief. Science and mythology both seek to explain the unknown, but science expands human knowledge. For these reasons, science is not the mythology of the modern age. Mankind has always sought to understand the world around him; with science he can do so more accurately than with myths.
