MYTHS AS A SOCIAL CONCEPT AND NEW MYTHS OF THE MODERN WORLD

Abstract

Mythical narratives offer us an explanation for the existence of man and the universe. In this way, it enables the individual to make sense of his life and all his experiences. On the other hand, myths, with their function of creating a world of belief and meaning, have the duty of cultural carrier and value protector of the society they are in. Experiences, knowledge and behavior patterns that are complex in society gain an order and meaning thanks to myths. We can think that the myths, which have an impact on determining the approach of the society to the sacred and the supernatural, have been discredited and considered invalid with the Enlightenment. Because, together with modernity in which rationality was prioritized, myths were accepted as a strange and incomprehensible product of a metaphysical field and were accepted as worthless and irrational. However, we can see that the myths, which are considered sacred and supernatural, and seen as irrational in terms of knowledge and logic, take a new form in the modern period. Is it then possible to separate myths into primitive and modern? Can we accept myths and science as opposites? One of the main discussion areas of this study is the idea that modern people create their own sacred belonging to this world and create their own myths over it. Myths created through modern political ideologies, hero myths produced through comics and cinema, modern history myth, gender myths, space travel myths, etc. shows that modern man's need for myths continues. Myths are a thought system that is still transmitted between generations and is an important communication tool. It continues to be functional in keeping the values and beliefs of the era and society in which it lives alive and in the efforts of societies to give meaning to their own existence.