What is the difference between logos and mythos?

People are aware of two ways of thinking and explaining the world, namely logos and mythos. On the one hand, the approach of mythical thinking is characterized by the presence of intuitive means and poetic insights that strengthen the content. On the other hand, logical thinking gives scientific and empirical explanations through fact observations and deductive evidence.

Compared to logos, where truth is universal and mostly objective, mythos is based on subjective information where attention is paid to human feelings and personal experiences. Mythos contains knowledge that provides life with meaning and purpose and has no rational aspects to follow. This mode was highly appreciated in Ancient Greece because it was not always possible to maintain reasonableness, but the obligation to share some knowledge was obvious.

When logical arguments were available, people relied on them. Thus, both methods of knowledge exchange are critical in human history and modern society. Unconscious myths were not as strong as practical logos, but they were motivational and inspirational.

Mythos and logos are both critical, and it is wrong to think that the quality of one mode could prevail over the quality of another. Even though modern people live in scientific logos, the worth of myths is integral as well. In psychology, myths are introduced as primitive forms of human relationships for negotiation and cooperation, and logos are critical for survival because facts and statistics determine the quality of life.

However, despite the existing differences and controversies, myths are necessary for logical thinking, and logical thinking, in its turn, affects myths’ creation. People have to balance needs, knowledge, and resources and make correct decisions to use past experiences for future improvements.

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Academic.Tips. 2023. "What is the difference between logos and mythos?" February 7, 2023. https://academic.tips/question/what-is-the-difference-between-logos-and-mythos/.

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