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. Thus, 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 inquiries such 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, January 24, 2021
Brain Games: 8 Philosophical Puzzles and Paradoxes
Dust off your thinking cap.
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The King James Version is probably the most well-known version of “The Good Book,” but who exactly wrote it?
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Daoism
Daoism, indigenous religio-philosophical tradition that has shaped Chinese life for more than 2,000 years. In the broadest...
Encyclopedia / Philosophy & Religion

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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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Ancient Greek civilization
historical region, Eurasia
- Ancient Egyptian religion
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Thor
Germanic deity

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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Primitivism
philosophy
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Problem of moral responsibility
philosophy
- Legal ethics

The study of humankind with an appreciation of human values and the unique ability of the human spirit to express itself.
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- Humanism
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Linguistics
science
- Art criticism

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

Are you ready to delve into the myriad possible answers to such complex questions as "What makes an action virtuous?" or "What is the nature of consciousness?" 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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Daoism
Chinese philosophy and religion
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Epistemology
philosophy

Our religious beliefs, such as they are, can affect our lifestyle, our perceptions, and the manner in which we relate to fellow human beings. Is there a higher power (or powers) that governs the universe and judges all of us? Can 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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- Roman Catholicism
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Hinduism
religion
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Daoism
Chinese philosophy and religion

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

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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Angkor Wat
temple complex, Angkor, Cambodia
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Western Wall
pilgrimage site, Jerusalem
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Bethlehem
town, West Bank

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Italian composer
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Johannes Brahms
German composer
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Oratorio
music

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 always 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