Exploring Worldviews and the Relationship between Humans and Nature in Creation Myths

by | Oct 16, 2023 | philosophy

 

• Native American creation stories from Indians.org: Creation, Migration and Origin Stories http://indians.org/indigenous-peoples-literature/legends-of-indigenous-peoples.html.
• Creation myths from world religions throughout history at the Big Myth website: The Teacher’s Guide http://www.bigmyth.com/2_eng_teach.html.
• A set of diverse creation stories specifically curated to focus on environmental spirituality in Roger Gottlieb’s anthology This Sacred Earth: Religion, Nature, Environment https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ashford-ebooks/detail.action?docID=200828. (pp. 47 through 83).
Choose any two myths and develop a comparison. First, explain which worldview each story seems to embody most closely. For example, ask yourself, “Which religious tradition fits best with the myth?” and “Which philosophical view of nature fits best with the myth?” Be sure to explain how you determined which worldview fits with the story, giving evidence from the texts to support your interpretation. Then compare and contrast similarities and differences in how the two myths imagine the relationship between humans and nature. For additional assistance, refer to the Writing Center resource, Compare and Contrast Assignments https://writingcenter.uagc.edu/compare-contrast-assignments. As always, remember that there is more than one good answer to these questions, so you’re not being graded on guessing the “right” answer. Rather you are being graded on the reasons and evidence you give to support your interpretation.
In your paper,
• Identify two myths that you will use to make a comparison.
• Identify the philosophical view of nature that each myth embodies (e.g., dualism, materialism, or idealism).
• Identify the religious perspective on the supernatural that aligns with each myth (e.g., monotheism, naturalism, or pantheism).
• Compare how the two myths imagine the relationship between humans and nature.

 

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

Title: Exploring Worldviews and the Relationship between Humans and Nature in Creation Myths

Introduction: Creation myths are essential cultural narratives that offer insight into the worldview, religious beliefs, and philosophical perspectives of different societies. This essay aims to compare and contrast two creation myths, analyze the philosophical views of nature and religious perspectives they embody, and examine how they imagine the relationship between humans and nature.

Myth 1: “The Creation of the World” (From Indians.org) Worldview: Indigenous/Native American Philosophical View of Nature: Pantheism Religious Perspective: Animism

In this Native American creation myth, nature is deeply intertwined with spirituality. The myth emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and the sacredness of the natural world. The belief in animism, which attributes spiritual essence to all elements of nature, aligns with the religious perspective found in this myth.

Evidence from the text:

The myth portrays the world as a living entity, where every aspect, including animals, plants, and natural phenomena, possesses a spiritual presence.
Humans are depicted as part of a larger web of life, existing harmoniously with other creatures and respecting their roles in maintaining balance.
Myth 2: “The Enuma Elish” (From Big Myth) Worldview: Mesopotamian/Polytheistic Philosophical View of Nature: Dualism Religious Perspective: Polytheism

The Enuma Elish depicts a creation story from ancient Mesopotamia. This myth reflects a worldview rooted in polytheism, where multiple gods and goddesses have distinct roles and powers. The philosophical view of nature in this myth leans toward dualism, emphasizing the cosmic battle between order and chaos.

Evidence from the text:

The myth describes a chaotic primordial state before the gods’ intervention, highlighting the struggle to bring order to the universe.
Humans are created as servants to the gods, with their purpose being to fulfill divine needs and maintain order in the world.
Comparison of the Relationship between Humans and Nature:

Harmony and Interconnectedness: Both myths recognize the interdependence between humans and nature. In the Native American myth, humans are depicted as integral parts of the natural world, coexisting harmoniously with other beings. Similarly, in the Enuma Elish, humans are created to serve the gods and maintain order in the cosmos.

Human Dominance vs. Divine Servitude: A notable difference lies in the perception of humans’ relationship with nature. In the Native American myth, humans are portrayed as equals within the natural order, respecting the balance and interconnection of all living things. Conversely, in the Enuma Elish, humans exist to serve the gods’ needs and maintain cosmic order.

Spiritual Significance: While both myths acknowledge the spiritual significance of nature, the Native American myth places greater emphasis on reverence for all aspects of the natural world. In contrast, the Enuma Elish focuses more on humanity’s role in serving and appeasing the gods.

Conclusion: By comparing these two creation myths, we observe different worldviews, philosophical views of nature, and religious perspectives on the supernatural. While both myths recognize the interconnectedness of humans and nature, they differ in terms of human dominance versus divine servitude and the level of spiritual significance assigned to nature. These variations illustrate how cultural beliefs shape perceptions of our relationship with the natural world, emphasizing the importance of understanding diverse perspectives to foster a more holistic understanding of humanity’s place in nature.

 

 

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