Abstract

A structuralist definition might well treat of religion in this way: A system of myth incorporating explanations of reality that grounds normative metaphysical outlooks as well as affirming conduct in conformity with social integrity, and which is maintained as authoritative both because of and by means of sacrality. This paper argues that myth directs the social weltanschauung with a stress variously upon honor and dignity. These two terms thus form a parent analytical binary supporting subsidiary cognate pairs termed “dimensions” that describe the means by which social institutions apply mythic content toward (on behalf of) honor or dignity.

It argues further that certain social structures express mythic-derived norms from biosocial substrates manifesting via drift potentials that in turn express as dimensional sub-traits of honor or dignity. This is what we refer to as a “belief-reliance system”. Belief in myth generates reliance in/upon the institutions translating myth into norms.

A sufficient understanding of these elements should enable a vastly improved understanding of local and international culture. The paper is divided between an explanation of core concepts and conclusions, the latter including applications of the concepts in the description of culture, as well as the use of the concepts to engage cultures in conflict resolution.

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