Human Nature, Mythology, and Philosophical Thought
The Dual Nature of Humanity
Man is not only natural but also cultural; he is both a determined being and an undetermined one. The human appears as a being in need, often experiencing inner emptiness due to a lack of effort toward personal goals. The human is an open project, a spiritual being that enables you to meet and know others, make responsible choices, and commit to performing them.
Project Classifications
- Open Project: The core of human life is choice.
- Closed Project: Animals are born for a particular function and die by that function (e.g., bees and ants).
- Homeostasis: One-dimensional animals are mechanically ready for an exclusive level of performance.
Understanding Mythology
Mythology is a collection of stories that aim to explain and clarify the human condition. Key features include:
- Great Characters: Gods and immortal beings who perform rituals.
- Natural Phenomena: Explanations for the origin of the universe and social order.
- Sacred Narratives: Stories that exist outside of standard literary genres, often involving the transmigration of souls.
While mythology provides concrete and symbolic responses, philosophy offers abstract and rational explanations. The object of philosophy is the Self, whereas the purpose of myth is the Divine.
Socrates vs. The Sophists
Socrates
Socrates focused on the concepts of truth and goodness through the dialectic—the art of reasoning. He never claimed to be a teacher; instead, he engaged in dialogue to expose philosophical contradictions and achieve absolute truth, which he believed was essential for ethics and social policy.
The Sophists
In contrast, the Sophists believed truth was relative. They utilized rhetoric and oratory as itinerant teachers for the youth. They were skeptics who prioritized the functionality of speech for political gain over the pursuit of absolute truth, focusing on political image and logical influence.