To all, none, and all of the above:
All knowledge is myth. Objective knowledge is shared myth, subjective knowledge is private myth. We all operate on myth, most of which is created for us by others. According to Joseph Campbell, mythology has four functions:
1. Metaphysical function - to relate our existence to the whole of reality.
2. Cosmological function - to describe the parts/process that comprise reality.
3. Sociological function - to relate our existence to the parts/processes that comprise reality, biological ones in particular.
4. Pedagogical function - to imprint all of the above on an individual and social level in order to maintain cohesion.
Science give us myth, but it's not particularly good at fulfilling these four functions on its own. To wit, the persistence of mystery - in spite of the insistence of the delusional - demands for us to use creativity towards a fully functional mythology. Of course, the delusional insistence on absolute demystification is its own form of creative mythology. By denying the inherent metaphysical fact of mystery we repress the paradox of existence. This repression manifests as existential angst, which becomes the underlying motivator for improving our mythology. When we ignore the transformative power of our own imagination, we surrender to others in the hope that they will improve our mythology--shrinks, doctors, scientists, gurus, healers, friends, enemies, whatever. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.
Isn't it funny how, when we're growing up, adults keep telling us two things?
"Just be yourself."
"You can be anything you want to be."
That about sums up the paradox, doesn't it?
Sunsneezer, it doesn't matter what we call it, the point is that everything is made of something, and nothing is separate from everything. It has no name, but it is our right and responsibility to give it one anyway. Nomen est omen.
Cool name. There was a big sun sneeze today, and some crazy volcanic activity to boot.