Myths and Realities

In order to present such a wide-ranging portrait, "Myths and Realities" looks at history and human nature from several different viewpoints, giving special attention to four major topics: culture, science, religion and war. Science is a major contributor because it is the most reliable means of acquiring knowledge. Religion is part of the wider subject of beliefs in general, and these have been given particular consideration because any kind of ideology or belief tends to distort the worldview. War has been mankind's constant companion, but without its underlying mythology, it would lose all glory and romance. It would just be senseless savagery.

Although man has many distinctive qualities, one of his most remarkable characteristics is his capacity to believe in all kinds of nonsensical notions. In fact, 'the human animal will believe practically anything-so long as it makes absolutely no sense at all."