Philosophy & Religion Portal (2024)

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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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.

Articles

• ancient Iranian religion
• Zoroastrianism

  religion

• creation myth

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.

Articles

• normative ethics

  philosophy

• ethics

  philosophy

• ethical relativism

  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.

Articles

• social science
• historiography
• 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.

Articles

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

  Swiss-born French philosopher

• St. Augustine

  Christian bishop and theologian

• Socrates

  Greek 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.

Articles

• Daoism

  Chinese philosophy and religion

• epistemology

  philosophy

• Indian 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.

Articles

• Eastern Orthodoxy

  Christianity

• Judaism

  religion

• eschatology

  religion

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.

Articles

• Tenrikyō

  Japanese religion

• Shaker

  Protestant sect

• Rinzai

  Buddhist sect

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.

Articles

• St. Joan of Arc

  French heroine

• Moses

  Hebrew prophet

• St. Paul the Apostle

  Christian Apostle

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.

Articles

• Dome of the Rock

  shrine, Jerusalem

• Serapeum

  ancient temples, Egypt

• Varanasi

  India

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.

Articles

• Igor Stravinsky

  Russian composer

• Spem in alium nunquam habui

  motet by Tallis

• 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.

Articles

• Torah

  sacred text

• Bible

  sacred text

• Qurʾān

  sacred text

Spirituality

This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.

Articles

• sacrifice

  religion

• Liji

  Chinese literature

• hell

  religion