Paper Presentation on Introduction to Indian Philosophy
Topic: Different Ways of Doing Philosophy with Special Reference to
Myths and Symbols
Presenters: Joseph Lalrinawma, C.R.L.
Muanpuia and C. Vanlalhriata
1. Introduction
Myths and Symbols are always part
if humanity from time immemorial. The have had played vital roles in certain
spheres of life and also had massive impacts in the sphere of Philosophy. This
paper tries to bring out the meaning of Myths and Symbols and how Philosophy
could be done referring to them in different ways.
2. Definition
The word ‘Myth’ comes from the
Greek word
Muthos which means story
or plot. Simply stated, a myth is ‘a sacred story’. A more comprehensive
definition will be a symbolic narrative including divine, legendary, and heroic
figures
.
Myth is described by Webster Dictionary as a story, presented as historical,
dealing with the cosmological and supernatural tradition of a people, their
gods, culture, heroes, religious beliefs, etc
.
It also described symbol as something chosen to stand for or represent
something else, usually because of a resemblance in qualities or
characteristics; an object used to typify a quality, abstract idea, etc.
2.1 Myths:
Myths take many
forms, depending on the culture in which they are found. But their function is
always that of pinpointing vital issues and values in the life of the society
concerned. They often dramatize those profound issues of life and death, of how
humanity came into being, and of what life means, of how we should conduct
ourselves as a citizen or spouse, as a creature of God or as a farmer, and so
on.
Myths are not
scientific or sociological theories about these issues; they are the outcome of
the way a nation or group has pondered the great questions. Their function is
not merely to provide a theory of life that can be taken or left at will; they
serve to compel a response from humanity. We might speak of myths as bridges
between the intellect and emotion, between the mind and heart – and in this,
myths are like music. They express an idea and trigger our response to it.
One problem in
our understanding of myths lies in the fact that the so-called Western
religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – are strongly concerned with
history. They have founders, and see their history as God’s own doing. This
strong emphasis upon actual events differs from the Eastern approaches to
religion, which emphasizes the consciousness of the individual.
2.2 SYMBOLS
Religious
symbols help believers to understand their faith in quite profound ways. Like
myths, they serve to unite the intellect and the emotions. Symbols also
integrate the social and personal dimensions of religion, enabling individuals
to share certain commonly held beliefs expressed by symbols, while also giving
freedom to read private meaning into them.
To clarify the
meaning of symbols, it will help if we distinguish between the terms ‘symbol’
and ‘sign’. There is certain arbitrariness about signs, so that the word
‘table’, which signifies an object of furniture with a flat top supported on
legs, could be swapped for another sound without any difficulty. Thus the
Germans call it ‘tisch’ and the Welsh ‘bwrdd’.
A symbol, by
contrast, is more intimately involved in that to which it refers. It
participates in what it symbolizes, and cannot easily be swapped for another
symbol. Nor can it be explained in words and still carry the same power. For
example, a kiss is a symbol of affection and love; it not only signifies these
feelings in some abstract way; it actually demonstrates them. In this sense a
symbol can be a thought in action.
Religious
symbols share these general characteristics, but are often even more intensely
powerful, because they enshrine and express the highest values and
relationships of life. The cross of Christ, the sacred books of Muslims and
Sikhs, the sacred cow of Hindus, or the silent, seated Buddha – all these
command the allegiance of millions of religious men and women. If such symbols
are attacked or desecrated, an intense reaction is felt by the faithful, which
shows us how deeply symbols are embedded in the emotional life of believers.
The power of
symbols lies in this ability to unite fellow-believers into a community. It
provides a focal point of faith and action, while also making possible a degree
of personal understanding which those outside may not share.
3. Different ways of Doing Philosophy
1.
Doing
Philosophy as Connective truth finding
The
Philosophers main intention in regards to the myths and symbols is to know
whether they are really truth or, in philosophical terms, their validity. Important
figures like Plato, Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, Rene Descartes had studied the
Myths and symbols of various Greeks culture and had brought many different
findings. Plato suggested that myths and symbols are irrational false
elements
.
Aristotle stated that Myths and symbols are not totally wrong as a whole, but
contained elements of truth within them.
Immanuel Kant and Descartes are in support of Aristotle in this regard.
Indian
Philosophers are also doing the same and they brought the complex Indian
schools of thought into existence. Buddha after meditating about the present
(i.e. his contemporary) symbolic representation he could find and come to the
conclusion that they are false and argued the validity of the Vedas, which he
considered as a myth. Mahavir also supported the belief of Buddha in this
realm. So we may say that their main intention is to bring out the truth or
truth findings. Due to this we could now have the Nastika and Astika schools of
thought who all consider their findings as the truth.
2.
Doing
Philosophy as Prove-based truth finding
Indian
culture is rich in Mythology and symbolism. The Vedas which is a very big cause
of endless debate and distinction is also considered as a Myth. The same is
believed by many in regards to Mahabharata and even the creation story of the
Bible. But the philosophers who advocate these books stand for the validity of
it as they said that they could be proved. For instance they claimed the stone
bridge between India and Sri Lanka to be the prove for the Mahabharata which
mentioned about the rescue mission of Sita which was carried out by Ram with
the help of Hanuman the monkey for in its story it was stated that the armies of
Hanuman had thrown many stones in the sea to make bridge to reach Lanka where
Ravana had held Sita in captive. Likewise the temple in Ayodhya is considered
to be the place where Rama had brought back Sita and their day of arrival is
marked by the festival of Diwali in which they celebrate their victory with
lights. So Diwali itself is a symbol of victory over the evil force and they
claim that it could be proved by the celebration which lasted till today.
So
Indian Philosophy is carried out to so that there could be the proof of its
truth. The same should be applied in doing Philosophy in other ground to ensure
the validity of our arguments and to strengthen our standpoints.
3.
Doing
philosophy as juridical debate (truth value analysis)
In
this philosophy is carried out to know the value of truth or the claimed truth.
Here what they emphasise is not what is, but the effect of the findings. In
this regard the Philosophers try to see what is/are the effect that a
particular finding have had. For instance, the existence of Vedas had resulted
into the distinction of Indian Schools of thoughts into various schools. Myths
and symbols provide some knowledge but also confused many and also led to
difference in thoughts.
The same is still going on till today as we face the problems of Beef-Ban due
to which many had lost their precious life. Cow is considered in India as a
representation of deity who nurtures and cares for others. So harming the cow
could be equal as harming our own mother who nurtures and cares for us. So this
symbolism had led to the loss of life and resulted in brutal murder in our
country. Myths and symbols are still very much to be studied keeping in view
the results it could have.
4. Conclusion:
The myths and symbols are very
much part of the life of humanity which could not be taken away. So, while
doing philosophy with an eye opened towards them, the philosophers need to be
very cautious of the possible outcomes that their findings could have. It is
wise to know what lies behind all these myths and symbols but the presenters
felt the need of knowing that there are some disadvantages of putting
everything known into practice as it could result to conflicts.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND WEBLIOGRAPHY
