Nestor Chavez
12/9/04
IB TOK
Ms. Kanawi
Word Count: 1,000
Comparison Essay:
Myth, Religion, Philosophy, and Science
Throughout history few were given the power to lead their fellow man to greatness, victory, and overall success. These men were commonly religious people or had some kind of great philosophical meaning to them, their dreams, and their ambition. It can be argued that these men could have been once a part of history, which then turned into legend and then turned into myths. Sometimes, science gets involved in religious myths or great legends and tries to use reason, logic, and evidence to see what is more likely to be the answer. As you can see, there are many differences and similarities in between the disciplines: Myth, Religion, Philosophy, and Science. Each one of these terms can be a way of life or it could just be a part of a belief. They can mix and be connected to each other but they are not the same. All of these terms have something that they want to accomplish and each one has their own way of getting there.
In order to fully comprehend what is going on with these disciplines, we must try to understand what it is that each one means or is defined as. Myth is basically a story or a parable that is used to explain the inexplicable or to tell of a hero that once might have been. Many times the stories involve supernatural beings of some sort. It can be argued that Religious texts such as the Bible contain many myths and parables. We know religion to be a set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader. It might also be said to be a belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe. Philosophy in the other hand is investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods, meaning using your senses instead of belief. Much like philosophy, science is the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena. Some people may say that science is what some people may argue makes the most sense.
