"The Science of Myth" was partially inspired by the 1988 PBS documentary "Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth". Weasel stated that he "became interested in the application of spiritual beliefs" after watching it and tried to write and arrange the song in a style "favored by the type of punk band that would typically be writing anti-religion songs." He was also inspired by The Mr. T Experience song "The History of the Concept of the Soul", saying he "wanted to try to do something similar by writing what would look like the Cliff's Notes version of an essay and making it flow instead of writing it in the manner of a conventional rock lyric." Originally, Weasel debated not putting the song on the album, saying it seemed "a little out of place", but later decided to include it after it was recorded.