Myth as source of knowledge in early western thought

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The Enlightenment's perception of Greek intellectual life favored reason, dismissing myth as a source of knowledge and asserting a monopoly on truth through rationalization. This view, which positioned reason against myth, misrepresented the realities of ancient Greek thought and has influenced modern education, privileging reason as the primary mode of inquiry. However, ancient Greek intellectuals, including pre-Socratic philosophers and classical thinkers, did not see myth (mythos) and reason (logos) as oppositional. Instead, they utilized both as valuable modes of inquiry. Plato, for instance, emphasized the importance of mythical narrative in his reasoning and introduced the term mythologia in his dialogue, the Republic, to describe how mythical themes could serve as knowledge sources. This study seeks to correct traditional misconceptions about ancient Greek intellectual life by reconstructing a mental landscape where myth and reason are interconnected. It aims to illustrate how mythos and logos are intertwined within the ancient Greek language, highlighting their vibrant interaction and shared significance in the intellectual pursuits of the time.