Philosophy & Religion
Humans have long pondered not only how we came to be but also why we came to be. The earliest Greek philosophers focused their attention upon the origin and nature of the physical world; later philosophers have theorized about the nature of knowledge, truth, good and evil, love, friendship, and much more. Philosophy involves a methodical assessment of any and all aspects of human existence and experience. The realms of philosophy and religion have sometimes intersected in conducting such inquiries as these. As with philosophy, the study of religion underscores how humankind has long speculated about its origins. The possibility of a higher being (or beings) to which livings things owe their existence has long captived human thought. Many religions also offer their own views on the nature of good and evil, and they may prescribe guidelines and judgment on different kinds of human behavior.
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Featured content, December 08, 2024
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political philosophy
Political philosophy, branch of philosophy that is concerned, at the most abstract level, with the concepts and arguments...
Western philosophy
Western philosophy encompasses the history of philosophy in the West from its development among the ancient Greeks of Classical...
philosophy of art
Philosophy of art, the study of the nature of art, including concepts such as interpretation, representation and expression,...
biblical literature
Biblical literature, four bodies of written works: the Old Testament writings according to the Hebrew canon; intertestamental...
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Philosophy & Religion Subcategories
Ancient Religions & Mythology
What did our ancestors believe in? What myths and stories did they use to explain the world around them and find meaning in it? How have their beliefs influenced modern religion and spirituality? Explore these questions and more while discovering notable traditions, figures, and legends that figured prominently in ancient religion and mythology.
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Ethical Issues
What moral precepts guide us through tricky situations that may arise in relation to friendships, family, communities, and the work environment? Right and wrong are not always defined in the same way across different cultures.
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altruism
ethics
- animal rights
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hedonism
philosophy
Humanities
The humanities are those branches of knowledge that concern themselves with human beings and their culture. The humanities include the study of all languages and literatures, the arts, history, and philosophy.
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- social science
- historiography
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epigraphy
historiography
Philosophers
Here you'll find the thinkers and theorists who have expressed their own ideas about such topics as the nature of humankind's relationship with the metaphysical world, the definitions of truth and knowledge, and the conditions of existence. From ancient Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle to later notable philosophers such as René Descartes and Immanuel Kant, philosophy's great thinkers have approached sensitive ethical and existential issues from a variety of different angles. Their ideas have influenced the way we look at our world and the way we relate to one another as human beings.
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Thomas Hobbes
English philosopher
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Karl Marx
German philosopher
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Benedict de Spinoza
Dutch-Jewish philosopher
Philosophical Issues
Do you embrace weighty topics such as the relative merits of empiricism and rationalism? An inquisitive spirit is all but a prerequisite for many of the topics listed here, which deal with the different approaches to and ideas about the big questions of life.
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Religious Beliefs
Our religious beliefs can affect our lifestyle, our perceptions, and our way of relating to fellow human beings. Is there a higher power (or powers) that governs the universe and judges all of us? Does committing a mortal sin mean the death of a soul, or is there a chance for forgiveness? The answers to such questions differ widely across different religions.
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- Christianity
- Islamic world
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Buddhism
religion
Religious Personages & Scholars
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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John Calvin
French theologian
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Absalom
biblical figure
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St. Augustine
Christian bishop and theologian
Religious Places
Human beings tend to relate to their religious beliefs through symbolism. Religious and sacred places—common destinations for pilgrims—represent a physical connection that helps believers express their devotion.
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Church of the Holy Sepulchre
church, Jerusalem
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St. Peter’s Basilica
church, Vatican City
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Mecca
Saudi Arabia
Sacred Art & Music
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Igor Stravinsky
Russian composer
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Spem in alium nunquam habui
motet by Tallis
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Georg Philipp Telemann
German composer
Scriptures
Sacred scriptures of all religions, viewed as the word of God or inspired by God, have influenced the moral and ethical standards of countries, peoples, and religious groups. Their interpretation has long been a subject of discussion and, at times, controversy.
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- biblical literature
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patristic literature
Christianity
- Yiddish literature
Religious Movements & Organizations
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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