Logos to mythos: Ancient wisdom for achieving harmony with the natural world

Abstract

Background: Auguste Comte's thought has fundamentally transformed human perspectives, shifting them from mythos to logos. This shift has had a profoundly significant impact on the development of modern human knowledge up to the present. However, this impact is dualistic, encompassing both positive and negative dimensions. Positively, it has led humanity to adopt a more objective stance toward its objects of study. Negatively, it has increasingly created a sense of distance between humans and their living environment, resulting in the rampant exploitation of nature. Methods: Utilizing a philosophical approach and literature review, this research seeks to analyze the negative consequences arising from humanity's transition from mythos to logos. Findings: These adverse effects manifest across various domains, from the social sphere to the environmental realm. Within the social dimension, the shift from mythos to logos has engendered suspicion toward perspectives deemed overly religious or metaphysical. This, in turn, has precipitated environmental consequences, leading humans to perceive nature merely as an object, a realm from which they are separate, rather than an integral part. By re-examining the relationship between indigenous communities and nature, this study posits that mythos, in essence, offers a perspective no less comprehensive than logos in understanding the living environment. Conclusions: The findings indicate that mythos does not invariably represent a regression in human thought. Instead, it can serve as an alternative framework for humanity to conceptualize its place within the cosmos, particularly within its immediate ecological context. Novelty/Originality of this article: This research further demonstrates that mythos remains relevant in interpreting power dynamics among humans, which subsequently give rise to contemporary environmental issues.