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, September 22, 2020
Brain Games: 8 Philosophical Puzzles and Paradoxes
Dust off your thinking cap.
List / Philosophy & Religion

What Do Eggs Have to Do with Easter?
Easter or not, bunnies don’t lay eggs
Demystified / Philosophy & Religion

Plato and Aristotle: How Do They Differ?
Learn more about how these two key philosophers were related and how their teachings differed.
Companion / Philosophy & Religion

Ethics
Ethics, the discipline concerned with what is morally good and bad and morally right and wrong. The term is also applied...
Encyclopedia / Philosophy & Religion

Philosophy & Religion Quizzes
Philosophy & Religion Videos
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Philosophy & Religion Subcategories

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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- Mesopotamian religion
- Anatolian religion
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Ancient Greek civilization
historical region, Eurasia

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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Problem of moral responsibility
philosophy
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Altruism
ethics
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Ethical relativism
philosophy

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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- Anthropology
- Humanism
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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.
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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.
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Sikhism
religion
- Islamic world
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Judaism
religion

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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St. Gregory VII
pope
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St. John Paul II
pope
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Absalom
biblical figure

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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Mahabodhi Temple
temple, Bodh Gaya, India
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Western Wall
pilgrimage site, Jerusalem
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Lotus Temple
temple, New Delhi, India

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Austrian composer
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Luigi Boccherini
Italian composer
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Johann Sebastian Bach
German 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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Bible
sacred text
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Qur?ān
sacred text