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, May 28, 2020
Why Is Christmas in December?
No one knows when Jesus was born, so why celebrate his birth on December 25?
Demystified / Philosophy & Religion

Murder Most Horrid: The Grisliest Deaths of Roman Catholic Saints
Methods of martyrdom you may not have heard of.
List / Philosophy & Religion

How did St. Francis Xavier shape Catholicism?
Learn about his missionary legacy.
Companion / Philosophy & Religion

Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, is observed on the 10th day of the month of Tishri, usually in September or October.
Spotlight / Philosophy & Religion

Mesopotamian religion
Mesopotamian religion, beliefs and practices of the Sumerians and Akkadians, and their successors, the Babylonians and Assyrians,…
Encyclopedia / Philosophy & Religion

Epistemology
Epistemology, the philosophical study of the nature, origin, and limits of human knowledge. The term is derived from the…
Encyclopedia / Philosophy & Religion

Philosophy of science
Philosophy of science, the study, from a philosophical perspective, of the elements of scientific inquiry. This article discusses…
Encyclopedia / Philosophy & Religion

Philosophy of art
Philosophy of art, the study of the nature of art, including concepts such as interpretation, representation and expression,…
Encyclopedia / Philosophy & Religion

Philosophy & Religion Quizzes
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Philosophy & Religion Subcategories

What did our ancestors believe in? How did they view the possibility of an afterlife? How did their beliefs influence modern religion and spirituality? Explore these questions and more.
Articles

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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Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
German philosopher
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Biocentrism
ethics
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Giordano Bruno
Italian philosopher

The study of humankind with an appreciation of human values and of the unique ability of the human spirit to express itself.
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Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
German author
- Geography
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Museum
cultural institution

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.
Articles
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Immanuel Kant
German philosopher
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Benedict de Spinoza
Dutch-Jewish philosopher
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Noam Chomsky
American linguist

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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Daoism
Chinese philosophy and religion
- History of logic
- Formal logic

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.
Articles

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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St. John Paul II
pope
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Martin Luther
German religious leader
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St. Augustine
Christian bishop and theologian

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.
Articles
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Serapeum
ancient temples, Egypt
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Notre-Dame de Paris
cathedral, Paris, France
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Western Wall
pilgrimage site, Jerusalem

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Johannes Brahms
German composer
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Austrian composer
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Luigi Boccherini
Italian composer

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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Bhagavadgita
Hindu scripture
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Martin Luther
German religious leader
- Yiddish literature

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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Purification rite
anthropology
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Socrates
Greek philosopher
- Religious experience