Final answer:
Myths serve to explain a society's origins, establish a collective identity, and reinforce social norms. They are integral for social cohesion and continuity, especially during transformative periods. The study of myth unveils messages and values significant to a culture's identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The social aspects that myths serve for include explaining a society's origin, providing a collective identity, and reinforcing social values and norms. Myths are not simply fictitious stories; they play a critical role in shaping a society's worldview, teaching moral truths, and ensuring social cohesion. Through characters and narratives, myths often align with cultural archetypes and convey universal concerns, regardless of their factual accuracy.
In times of societal change, such as revolutions, myths can be deliberately crafted or adapted to support the values of a new social order. This was evident during the Russian Revolution, where the Bolsheviks sought to replace the existing myths with ones that promoted collective welfare. Additionally, myths can simplify complex phenomena, provide a sense of order, and represent the collective unconscious of a society.
Mythology remains integral to understanding human societies, spanning various disciplines like anthropology, folklore, and psychology. The study of myth provides insights into the primary messages and cultural significance embedded within these stories, which persist throughout generations.