ANT-2 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Roman Mythology, Belief, Animal Worship
Document Summary
Religious beliefs are shared by a group and are passed on through the generations. Myths convey messages about supernatural forces or beings indirectly, through the story itself, instead of using formal argument or logic. Have long been part of people"s oral tradition, and many are still unwritten. Malinowski said that a myth is a charter for society in that it expresses core beliefs and teaches morality. Levi-strauss saw myths as functional in a philosophical and psychological way. Myths help people deal with the deep conceptual contradictions between life and death, good and evil, by providing stories in which these dualities find a solution in a mediating third factor. Doctrine information related to making a living and managing economic crises. Explicitly defines the supernaturals, the world and how it came to be, and people"s roles in relation to the supernaturals and to other humans. Close to law, because it links incorrect beliefs and behaviours with punishments.
