Mythic Potential of Evolution

In this essay I will be discussing the article written by Mihaly Csikszentimihayli called The Mythic Potential of Evolution. The premise of the article was the "relationship between science and myth" (Csikszentimihayli p.25). There are four main points that the author discusses throughout the article. The first point is that theory of evolution could be the "most powerful mythic structure of our times" (Csikszentimihayli p. 25). The second point is that there are problems which may arise due to the belief that evolution is tied to "technological progress" (Csikszentimihayli, p. 25). Third, the need for the "interpretation of evolution" is needed due to the premise of religious and psychological dependence upon evolution. (Csikszentimihayli p. 25). Lastly, the ideation that "personal and social growth" are the expected outcome of evolution, which is in turn based upon the expectation of "material progress" (Csikszentimihayli, p. 25).

In order to make sense of this we must first define what a myth is. According to Csikszentimihayli, a myth can be described as "an explanation that people without scientific training or a healthy dose of skepticism who have given to some event or experience that they thought was meaningful and inexplicable" (p, 26).

In order for us as humans to have a better understanding or closure of issues, we tend to label things, people and situations. This is the same as with the term myth. Myths tend not to be "coherent" with out own beliefs, yet we need a rationale way to explain its existence. (Csikszentimihayli p. 26). While myths may or may not be true or even understandable, there is one certainty that "science" will not likely become obsolete in the near future (Csikszentimihayli, p. 26).

So the question remains, why do we have myths? There are several reasons why. However I will examine the primary functions of the myths. There are two functions of myths. The first is to explain the past events and the second is to direct the course of the future.

To explain our past, as in who we are, out origins is important because we have questions that do not always come equipped with a manual for answers. For most of us the bible is our manual for the questions we have. To many people the bible is a platform that provides answers as to why we exist, and of course information pertaining to those who preceded us.To direct the future is generally impacted by the way that people perceive the past. It is also impacted by personal choices made by people as individuals. We seek to do better for the most part, better than our ancestors with the hopes that we can avoid their downfalls if we are informed of them in advance, we hope that we can avoid repeating those mistakes.

Overall it is essential for humans to reflect upon our existence and how and why we came to be. It keeps us moving forward towards the progressive standard. This is why choices are so important. When we are faced with too many choices, it can actually be overwhelming. So to overcome this pressure of being overwhelmed we find that like the labeling of the unknown, we must actually justify our actions and choices. It's a comforting feeling to not worry about things, to know what is going to happen in the end. The example used in the article is perfect to describe my point. Adam and Eve were apparently created in God's image, which therefore justifies the "human supremacy" of the Christian religion over other religious affiliations in the world. I assume that part of this is the opinion of the author and even partial myth. I can only assume that as people we need faith in this instance to justify why we are here, and how we became. It is often reassuring to know how things work, and why they are in existence. It can be safely said that without some type of faith or myth that we essentially would live in mass confusion, I personally feel that people need these types of myths or leaps of faith to endure the struggles of life.

Csikszentimihayli discusses that his belief of evolution is contrary to what others in the field might believe. He states that in this modern day spectrum, it is concrete by the scientific foundation which it sits upon. However time, the ideas and theories regarding evolution have changed with the insight and education of learning more about evolution. In relation because the theory of evolution has changed in response to the passing of time and learning more parts of what we once beloved to be true may now be considered mythical. While contrary to that statement, at the same time the new information which has replaced the possible mythical information will not be replaced but what is deemed as credible and most likely based upon scientific facts. For arguments sake, there is always the possibility that in fifty years from now, none of the information we have at this time about evolution may be credible due to new and future findings.

Csikszentimihayli, explores the possibility that looking outside the "myth of evolution" to find new ways for us to better ourselves as humans" (p.32). Due to the fact that myth is a large part of our belief system and they way in which is embedded in our consciousness we tend to focus on the less important factors which surround us. This pertains to the update of technology, appliances, cars and other material goods which should have no bearing on who we are, but unfortunately do. It can be assumed that as humans we are complex, and do not know everything about our species. We cannot even guarantee with certainty how we came to be. Yet why is the focus primarily on material possessions that should not define us, as its similar to comparing a desk to a piece of toast. I wonder if we tend to analyze, and try to overcompensate with material possessions due to our inability to cope with the complex nature of ourselves as humans. It seems to me much simpler to update a car or washing machine. You know where it came from, the basics of how it works and what makes it better than others on the market. From that point one could assume that it would be minor or major changes to the plans but in the end you would still have a washing machine. Is the worry that if we tamper with humans in such a way that we will lose our autonomous qualities? Or maybe we are at the top of our game with little or no room for improvement.

Csikszentimihayli discusses the way in which nuclear physicists have secretly admitted that "no breakthrough knowledge is expected or foreseen in their field for the past half century" (p.31). Is that because we are already so evolved in that field that we must allow for time to catch up with us? I don't know but there is a certain reason for why this is the case. Not since the atomic bomb has there been such a significant progress in this field.

The article briefly discusses Richard Dawkins and his coined term meme. Meme has impacted our society by balancing what has been done, with what will repeat itself. The way in which I understand this concept is that it is re-creating something that has been done already, and introducing it as something new. The example that comes to mind is how fashion turns over every few years. The fashions that are currently on the racks in the stores are reminiscent horrors of the late seventies and early eighties, its nothing new, just something old re-spun. Memes are thought to in some cases spread but can be detrimental to their hosts. In other words, while the fashion is a regurgitation of previous years, it will eventually burn out, or no longer be fashionable and the designers will have to come up with another design for the season.

What I conclude from the use of myths and even the term meme is that we as a society like to feel safe, that is why we do the things that we do. In many ways we have disabled ourselves due to the new age of complacency. It is far easier to remain complacent and try old proven ideas as opposed to taking the risk and trying something new. There is of course the desire and willingness to follow the herd of sheep. Along those lines of conformity, we want to feel as we belong. It is an integral part of who we are part of our desires and basic needs.

The author discusses several different theories relating to the needs of humans. The one that I am going to discuss is Maslow's "needs hierarchy" (Csikszentimihayli, p. 33).Maslow's hierarchy for psychological needs can be best described as a pyramid of needs. The bottom of the pyramid starts with the physiological needs. The second from the bottom is the need for safety. The third from the bottom is the need for love and belonging. Above love is esteem. Lastly on the top is self actualization. The bottom four needs are known as physiological needs and the top need of self actualization is known as growth which needs the physiological needs to coexist.. This is a complex structure which could be an entire paper in itself. The reason this is important is because without having our needs met, we will fail to thrive and even exist. There are many other adaptations to the Maslow's hierarchy, but I feel that this is the one I can identify with the best (Csikszentimihayli, p.33).

Csikszentimihayli used the phrase "phylogeny recapitulates ontogeny". (p.34). Csikszentimihayli uses this statement in the context that we as individuals are in essence evolving slowly through the "same patterns that individuals play out during their few decades of their lives" (p.34).This ties back to the term meme, how things tend to repeat themselves, or regurgitate to replay in time. This also correlates with the secondary stage that we are conformists by nature. We are highly influenced with our ways of thinking and behavior. However there are some "societies" according to Csikszentimihayli that are utilizing "individuality and self-esteem to guide their principles of action (p.34).

For the time being, most of us continue to live within our own myth that we have created for ourselves, with the influence of the outside world. As individuals we focus on the things that we cannot have, instead of the wealth and joys that we do have. We are "disillusioned" as Csikszentimihayli says, believing that "wealth and possessions" will bring happiness (p.35). This of course is not true. He compares the modern day behavior to the fascism of the 1930's. Instead of seeking enlightenment and happiness through art, music, culture, friendship and family, people become blinded by financial gain and things that are unimportant. Hence why in comparison to ancient or older civilizations, we have lost our autonomy to conformity, and seeking the things that matter the least. We no longer see skills of our ancestors as important pieces of history, or parts of who we are. Instead we see them as ancient past times that we no longer have an interest in, or time for.

Csikszentimihayli asserts that we have not made progress in our evolution. He states that "evolutionary myth based more on the development of control over consciousness than material goods" (p.35). In the perimeter of the myth and evolution, I agree, we have not truly evolved in the way which we think we have. Instead, we have conformed towards the myth of evolution, with the belief that we have evolved.

Csikszentimihayli supports his case for the non-evolution of our society. Instead of individuals being concerned about the "future of the environment for their children, we have become a mechanized society" ignoring those attributes and factors which would increase our evolutionary skills if pursued (p.36). We have become a society of automatons who seek the approval of others, and the need to fill our free time with "recorded music and television". (Csikszentimihayli, p. 36). We also tend to become "depressed when we do not have these activities to stimulate our minds" (Csikszentimihayli, p.36).Depression is something that we try to avoid, due to the "pain" associated with it. (Csikszentimihayli, p.36).

We do not want to willingly step outside of the box of conformity because we may be different or ostracized due to our differences from the herd. As we exist in the herd we are prey to the predators that "profit" from our desire to be "physically comfortable and safe" (Csikszentimihayli, p.36).Instead of an evolved society, we have become "docile" and "predictable" to the profiteers. (Csikszentimihayli, p.36). Instead of seeking the truth we take other individuals such as governments, politicians and other authority figures at face value. We have become submissive to the desires of our greed, while ignoring the actual needs of love, shelter, family and friendships. We have not evolved in the way that we perceive, that too can be summed up to one word, myth.