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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historiography
Historiography, the writing of history, especially the writing of history based on the critical examination of sources, the...
Mesopotamian religion
Mesopotamian religion, beliefs and practices of the Sumerians and Akkadians, and their successors, the Babylonians and Assyrians,...
metaphysics
Metaphysics, branch of philosophy whose topics in antiquity and the Middle Ages were the first causes of things and the nature...
Buddhism
Buddhism, religion and philosophy that developed from the teachings of the Buddha (Sanskrit: “Awakened One”), a teacher who...
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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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Syrian and Palestinian religion
ancient religion
- Anatolian religion
- Baltic religion
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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- legal ethics
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biocentrism
ethics
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utilitarianism
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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Voltaire
French philosopher and author
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Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Swiss-born French philosopher
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St. Augustine
Christian bishop and theologian
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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- humanism
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Taoism
Chinese philosophy and religion
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epistemology
philosophy
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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Eastern Orthodoxy
Christianity
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Judaism
religion
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eschatology
religion
Religious Personages & Scholars
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Martin Luther
German religious leader
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St. John Paul II
pope
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Muhammad
prophet of Islam
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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Dome of the Rock
shrine, Jerusalem
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Serapeum
ancient temples, Egypt
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Varanasi
India
Sacred Art & Music
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Austrian composer
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Franz Schubert
Austrian composer
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Gioachino Rossini
Italian 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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- Dead Sea Scrolls
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Shruti
Hindu sacred literature
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Talmud and Midrash
Judaism
Religious Movements & Organizations
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Great Awakening
American religious movement
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Yazīdī
religious sect
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Franciscan
religious order