Philosophy and Religion
Today, there is a deep divide between these two areas, and most people perceive them as opposing. Religion, according to general understanding, is associated with faith or blind belief, while philosophy is linked to reason. It seems that faith is contrary to reason. Can this opposition ever be reconciled?
In its essence, religion is not about faith but about union with God. This implies the ultimate source of everything, the ultimate mystery, whatever that may be. If a philosopher is defined as someone who loves wisdom, who seeks the truth, a person in search of knowledge, wouldn’t they be interested in the ultimate cause of all things?
It is not so much a question of whether a philosopher is interested in this issue, but whether philosophy can lead to the discovery of this uncaused cause. Most ancient philosophers, especially Plato and his followers, argued that this is indeed the ultimate goal of philosophy: to lead to the discovery of Reality. Plato presents this viewpoint in his Myth of the Cave in the seventh chapter of the book. The Cave. In this allegory, the philosopher follows a path from the darkness of ignorance through deceptive shadows of thoughts to the ultimate light of Truth, symbolized by the world outside the cave and illuminated by the brilliant light of the Sun.
If a philosopher is defined as one who loves wisdom, as one who seeks truth, a person in search of knowledge, will they not be interested in the ultimate cause of all things?
Like Indian philosophers, Plato describes how by calming the senses and training the mind in calm discernment and steadfastness, the philosopher can achieve a state of inner peace in which they will be able to clearly see Reality. In this state, Truth will illuminate the mind, like the Sun rising above the mountains, lighting up the sparkling surface of a peaceful lake. Philosophy is the means of attaining this state of clear vision, which can be compared to divine enlightenment, which is also the goal of religion.
Although he believed in some form of God, even gods, Plato is not considered religious. At the same time, he was very critical of the religion of his time. In her view of the gods as bribable, unpredictable beings, with passions and flaws very similar to ours, as if they were created in our image, and not the other way around.
So what is religion and how does it differ from philosophy? Although essentially religion can be described as a path towards reuniting (Latin religare = to reconnect), it is a path towards reuniting with one’s true self, with all beings, and with God as the transcendent cause of everything. In practice, religions offer a specific way of life filled with rituals, prayers, and meditation techniques designed to lead to this goal. They are typically divided into two or more levels: one includes intensive practices, such as monasticism, where an individual’s entire life is dedicated to this goal, or a less intensive method in which followers are required to adhere to a moral code and perform a series of acts or rituals, such as pilgrimages, worship, or attending religious services in a church, mosque, or temple. For many believers, this is a way to ensure happiness in the long run. In the realm of human existence, even though it is not the essence of religion, just as mere rational reasoning and discussions about ideas are not the essence of philosophy. Both religion and philosophy, at their highest level, are mystical activities, in the sense that both strive to establish a connection with the highest Truth that resides in the realm of the sacred.
So how did the division between religion and philosophy come about? We assume that it originated in the Middle Ages as a reaction to the overpowering influence that religion had at the time, when people were burned at the stake for views considered heretical or contrary to the principles of faith. Therefore, it was when philosophy freed itself from the shackles imposed by narrow-minded religious beliefs. As it became liberated from these constraints, it distanced itself more and more from religion, and in many cases completely rejected it, as if it had become “allergic” to it.
Both religion and philosophy, at their highest level, are mystical activities, in the sense that both strive to establish a connection with the highest Truth that resides in the realm of the sacred. The Learning of Saint.
In the 20th century, numerous scholars like Joseph Campbell and Mircea Eliade began to rebuild bridges between religion and philosophy. One day, I am certain, the original unity will be restored: religion will become more philosophical, and philosophy will become more mystical. Reason and faith will cease to wage war against each other and will realize that they are brother and sister, and that they can progress harmoniously together on the arduous path towards Truth.