What Do Myths Teach Us? How Humanity Seeks to Grasp the Divine

O’Hear, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Buckingham and former Director of the Royal Institute of Philosophy, drew from his recent book The Prism of Truth: Reflections on Myth to argue that myths are far more than fanciful stories or outdated beliefs. He suggested that myths function as a vital means through which humanity attempts to grasp the divine—an entity inherently beyond the full reach of literal language or rational comprehension. This perspective, he noted, is deeply rooted in theological traditions such as those of Thomas Aquinas, who emphasized the analogical use of human language when speaking of God.

The lecture paid particular attention to the Christian myth, often referencing the writings of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. O’Hear recounted their well-known 1931 conversation, in which Tolkien helped Lewis understand Christianity not as a dry collection of doctrines but as a myth that is, in a unique sense, “true.” This insight sparked Lewis’s conversion and formed a cornerstone of O’Hear’s argument: that myths can point to a truth that transcends empirical verification.

Throughout the evening, O’Hear emphasized that myths can embody moral guidance and existential depth in a way abstract principles often cannot. He offered examples from both religious and literary sources, from the parables of the New Testament to Homer’s Iliad, Euripides’ The Trojan Women, and Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. These stories, he argued, stir the human imagination, shaping values and conveying meaning that resonates across generations.

In a modern context, where myth is often dismissed as synonymous with falsehood, O’Hear challenged the audience to consider a broader understanding of truth. Truth, he proposed, is not limited to factual correspondence but can also be found in loyalty, beauty, and emotional resonance. A myth, then, need not be scientifically verifiable to be deeply and profoundly true.

Rather than viewing world religions as rivals locked in conflict, O’Hear urged openness to the possibility that each religious myth may reflect a facet of a greater, ungraspable truth. He spoke in favor of interreligious learning—not to dilute one’s faith, but to enrich it through understanding. He was cautious, however, about attempts to reduce all myths into a single universal narrative. Their contradictions and distinct emphases, he argued, are precisely what make them valuable.

Science, too, came under thoughtful consideration. O’Hear rejected the view that scientific explanation and mythical thinking are inherently incompatible. Instead, he suggested that science tells us how the world works, while myth addresses why it matters. The realms of value, purpose, and ultimate meaning, he contended, lie beyond the reach of scientific analysis. In this sense, science and myth can be complementary rather than contradictory. Anthony O’Hear’s reflections reminded the audience that myths endure not because they simplify the world, but because they invite us to explore its complexities.