Creation is important in every society and group of people. Whether that be the creation of new life, new ideas, or new inventions. Creation pushes us forward as human beings and creates an atmosphere of learning, knowledge, and exploration. I believe, after a lot of thought and discussion in class, that the creation story was made to push the boundaries of understanding and unite people as a whole.
Where am I from? This question was probably asked over and over in the years BCE. Modern science had not yet been developed however people were curious and with curiosity a solution had to be made. Not to just come up with a solution but to come up with an understanding of the world that they (the people back then) were surrounded in. Stories were made up of creation and as a result it eased the peoples thoughts and worries.
These stories united people because it gave them an understanding of where and whom they descended from. With this understanding it eased fears and it allowed the people to happily go upon their lives, not having to worry about their existence into this world.
Today, ideas/ theories are up in the air about our existence. There are many, however the most believed is the theory of evolution. This is where the human being, as we know it today, developed from chimpanzees/ monkey variations. These pre humans were able to compete, survive and thrive among all other organisms on Earth and, as a result became dominant in the world.
Bottom Line- to where we were truly created is up to the individual person and what conclusions they make. It has not yet been 100% proven (theory of evolution) and it probably never will be, so on that note, Hesiod and Genesis still have a place in the modern time and will be known as the true creation stories in English Literature.
Hi Matthew, I have to say I quite agree with your statement “to where we were truly created is up to the individual person and what conclusions they make.” Reason being, is because everyone perceives the world differently, base on the environment which they were brought up in or their religious belief. I would also like to point out the fact that you brought up the idea “where am I from” since in all the epics and poems we’ve read, whenever there is an encounter between two parties they would always question where that individual is from. I feel that the reason for this may be to push the boundaries of understanding and unite people as a whole as you’ve stated, but it could also be for benefitting oneself and also this idea of fear. In the epics and poems most the time the people would question whom they are helping so they can prosper and understand a person’s journey as well as to please God or even due to the fear of God. During this time it is known that people should be hospitable to everyone, yet in the “Odyssey” when the Phaeacians helped Odysseus they ended up being ill-fated and were punished. Similarly maybe we individuals question others even today, is so that we know whom we are talking to and of what benefit they may provide for us, or if we should be hospitable to certain individuals so that harms don’t come our way.
Hi Matthew,
I also agree with your post about creation and inventions. I especially like when you said that “Creation pushes us forward as human beings and creates an atmosphere of learning, knowledge, and exploration.” I can’t help but think about current events as I read your post. Now that the much anticipated 2016 presidential election is officially over, and some are satisfied and some are not, no matter your political view it seems that what this country needs now is more inventions and ideas now more than ever. And I would have to agree with Sin Yi that in the epics that we have studied in class, when 2 parties encounter one another it is to push the boundaries of understanding, understand where the other is coming from, and move forward together. Creation and evolution theories may never be proven 100%, but the important thing is what humans should do now that they are here, and how to work together as thinkers and innovators.