Knowledge skills for Mythology

[Refplace]

Originally Posted by whswhs

I don't think "Literature" in GURPS means knowledge of the scholarly literature on an academic field or subject. Knowledge of scholarly literature in general equals Research; knowledge of scholarly literature in a particular field equals the skill for that field. Literature in GURPS means belles lettres, or more broadly the high, folk, and popular arts expressed in language. Heinlein's The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress or Vinge's A Deepness in the Sky is "literature"; Tucker's Instead of a Book or Mises' Human Action or Friedman's The Machinery of Freedom is not—those are works of economics or political science or political philosophy.

The skill of Literature could be used to study many primary sources, such as the Homeric Hymns or the Rg Veda, or perhaps compendia that have come to be read as belles lettres, such as the Theogony or the Elder Edda. But I don't think it would include the study of Campbell or Dumézil or other mythographers.

I can see including the study of myths in Theology (Comparative or for any religion that has myths). But I don't know if religion=mythology or mythology=religion. It might be a simpler solution to define Expert Skill: Mythography and say that it includes any elements of anthropology, history, literature, philosophy, and theology that relate to myths.

I'll agree that the major works in a field should be known by someone with the right skills and Literature is not needed. But Campbell got a BA in English Literature then a Masters in Miedval literature. To me he should qualify for the GURPS Literature skill with that background.
Also I think Literature is a valid skill, though not the best one for knowing about Mythology.

As for Religion=Mythology I think that is more a matter of faith and social norms than a skill difference. A Biblical Scholar would have the appropriate Theology skill, regardless of their actual faith (if any).

As for Expert Skill I am fine with that too, I offered a list of options to choose from rather than trying to force a specific build.

I do wish optional specializations had included a technique build to better handle some things, especially the way the Masters and Doctorate programs tend to work. Something like Specialty (A) default skill-2; up to skill+5.