The
difference between scientific thinking and mythical thinking is profound.
According to the scientific mind, physical nature is inanimate and impersonal
and governed by universal law. But, according to the mythical thinking, nature
is alive and personified with individual wills, gods, and demons who manipulate
things according to their desires.
The
scientific mind thinks that natural beings obey universal rules; hence the
natural phenomenon can be predicted. The myth-making mind (or, mythopoeic) is
not aware of repetitive laws inherent in nature; rather it ascribes all
happenings to the will of the gods, who is unpredictable.
The
scientific mind depends on reasoning – it logically and systematically analyzes
nature, and tries to find out the universal principles that that rule the
natural phenomena. The myth-making mind explicates natural phenomena in terms
of gods and their behavior.
The
scientific inquiry tools include the scientific method, samples, variables,
controlled environment, parameters, and predictability while the inquiry tools
of mythical thinking include intuition, experience, observation, empirical
analysis, schema, critical thinking skills, ideology and religious faith.