Some thoughts on cognitive functions and correspondences of Egyptian myth (eme) s

Location
Arts Lecture Room 3
Dates
Monday 8 June 2015 (16:30-18:01)
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At the latest since the 5th century BCE, myth, or mythos, has been contrasted with logos – a scientific, logical, approach to nature and the human understanding of it. The term myth (os) hence became demoted to mean a primitive, at best pre-logical, means of expression. This seminar aims to overcome this perceived dichotomy. In relating the Egyptian mythical evidence to recent findings in the Cognitive Sciences, Professor Goebs suggests that myth not only plays an important role as a central feature of cultural expression, but equally as something that might be called a “cognitive tool”, which taps into the human mind’s inherent tendency and need to classify, model, and narrate. This becomes apparent in particular where a categorization of Egyptian deities can be observed – a process which, in turn, leads to the use of certain deities as symbols, icons, or metaphors.

Professor Katja Goebs is an Associate Professor of Egyptology in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilisations at the University of Toronto and is hosted as Institute of Advanced Studies Distinguished Visiting Fellow by Dr. Martin Bommas working closely with Birmingham Memory Group.

Please join us for refreshments from 16.30 onwards outside Lecture Room 3.

This lecture is free to attend but REGISTRATION is recommended.