A quick and dirty comparison chart between ways of looking at the universe
| MYTHIC | NATURAL PHILOSOPHY | SCIENCE | |
| Attempts to describe and explain the world | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Talks about man's place in the universe | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tells us how to behave | Yes | Yes | No |
| Nature is perceived as | Spiritual
Mysterious Capricious |
A reflection of ideas and ideals
Consistent Knowable |
Real
Consistent Knowable |
| Who interprets nature | Shaman/Priest | Philosopher | Scientist |
| How we interact with nature | Ritual and Magic | Thinking | Observing and Interpreting |
| How we learn about nature | Revelation | Logic | Senses & Extensions |