Outside Reading Blog #3 - Simon Robson

      Reflecting on the Intertwining of Religion and Philosophy

04/26/2021

  Today I wanted to find something to read that would be enlightening in a philosophical sense, so I found an article that focused on defining the difference between philosophy and religion. To me the two have always had different connotations yet followed the same ideas and religion has always seemed to be a certain kind of philosophy, which it may be. However in this article they talked about the differences and mystics that go along with these ideas. One of the lines that stuck out to me the most was “The God of Philosophers is different…. here we shall not find the concept of a “personal God”, a God of a Nation or a God of a Tribe. Instead of a “supreme being” we shall find here a concept linked to the notion of the Universal Law, such as Dharma in India, Theos in Greece, or Maat in ancient Egypt. We could say that what matters more for the philosopher is the Law, and not so much the maker of the Law.” This was in contrast to the way that religion views good and bad and the right way of living. It is definitely true that religion focuses more on the law maker and philosophy more on the actual laws. This could be to say that religion seeks to add meaning and origin to these laws, or it could simply mean that they have different focuses. Both give life meaning and purpose, but in very different ways. To me, religion gives one more purpose and gives meaning to life but also meaning to death as well. Philosophy can make tons of meaning out of life, or it could point towards the opposite and create a lack of meaning for life. Both are important to consider and think about when you weigh the effects of your day to day actions. 

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