Throughout the history of human civilization, humans have had access to different myths and beliefs which to them conveyed a sense that life was meaningful and secure, all worth living. The myths led them to believe that human beings have a central place in the universe - an importance in the grand scheme of things.
But then evolution happened and Science was born. What has resulted from that eventually is that the ancient myths and beliefs have over time been penetrated and dissolved. As time passes fewer and fewer individuals find it possible to believe in the myths.
With no myths and ancient beliefs to believe in, many of us end up being left standing all alone in this void facing the abyss. We are forced to figure out a new meaning for our lives and our place in the universe without any external support. And just like that, a Pandora's box of myriad of problems resulting from the lack of myths is opened.
The 20th-century philosopher and writer Alan Watts in his publication, The Wisdom of Insecurity: A Message for an Age of Anxiety writing:
There is, then, the feeling that we live in a time of unusual insecurity. In the past hundred years so many long-established traditions have broken down—traditions of family and social life, of government, of the economic order, and of religious belief. As the years go by, there seem to be fewer and fewer rocks to which we can hold, fewer things which we can regard as absolutely right and true, and fixed for all time.
Alan Watts
To some this is a welcome release from the restraints of moral, social, and spiritual dogma. To others it is a dangerous and terrifying breach with reason and sanity, tending to plunge human life into hopeless chaos. To most, perhaps, the immediate sense of release has given a brief exhilaration, to be followed by the deepest anxiety. For if all is relative if life is a torrent without form or goal in whose flood absolutely nothing save change itself can last, it seems to be something in which there is “no future” and thus no hope.
Alan Watts
Of course, the unfortunate things is many of are not aware of the Pandora's box opened when one leaves myths and beliefs behind, many go ahead blindly to believe that now they are free of childish illusions which impacted upon them by religious and cultural myths.
Hence, why some thinkers such as Watts have come to understand that myths do actually serve a vital role in the maintaining of the psychological and emotional health of individuals.
The truth though is as human beings, many of us need myths to impart the sense that life is meaningful and worth our efforts, that there is some coherent order or plan to it all, that life isn't merely a "tale told by an idiot." Quoting Watts:
For man seems to be unable to live without myth, without the belief that the routine and drudgery, the pain and fear of this life have some meaning and goal in the future.
Alan Watts
All these different myths act as a psychological antidote to the reality of our situation, they serve to mask our apparent cosmic insignificance, they also serve as sources of meaning for otherwise seemingly senseless suffering and evil in the world. The myths provide ideals to help us rise above difficult situations and continue moving forward.
But unfortunately, to live without myths is a burden that has been forced upon us the modern individuals. And many remain ignorant of this fact. And hence many continue to experience a sense of helplessness and never-ending anxiety, some even ending up believing life is all meaningless. The loss of the beliefs and myths exposes many to the chaos caused by existential crisis and yet many don't have the necessary skills to rid them of such psychological states.
This is not to say that we all need beliefs and myths, there are a lot of insights from ancient philosophers for those who choose to lead lives free myths. It is a path not taken by many but a path nonetheless.
See you in the next update.
Peace!
