Massimo, I particularly appreciated this statement: “…ideally, at least—philosophical inquiry is open ended. Just as in science, the inquirer strives to boldly go wherever reason and evidence lead. In the case of theology, by contrast, the conclusion is pre-determined and cannot possibly be contradicted by any argument or evidence”. As an ex secular Buddhist practitioner, my teacher was Stephen Batchelor who reformulated the Four Noble Truths (which presume faith or belief in unquestionable givens, just like religion) into Four Noble Tasks (empirical practices which follow the data, like philosophy & science). He summarised these tasks as ELSA: Embrace life, Let reactivity be, See reactivity stop, and Actualize a path - https://bit.ly/3i5t1fL . The purpose of this practice is not to strive for enlightenment (a futile endeavour akin to aiming to become a Sage) but to realise “…our full human potential to live intelligently, compassionately and hopefully with wisdom.” Sounds pretty much like Stoicism to me & is another example of the BCE interactions between India & Greece.
Difficult to argue with your chain of thought except the bit about Buddhism. A lot has been mixed with Hindu belief & I am not talking about the Gods of Mythology. It’s the abstract about Atman & Brahma. Buddhas first noble truth is Dukha which is sadness or equivalent to absence of pain (Epicurean). Te second truth is not to have any Desire which can be debated.
Here is my take on the universal God & it’s called GRAVITY. It has created the Cosmos & holds it together & is expanding it with a little tweaking from Relativity. So Newton & Einstein explain all that is known about our universe.
Dec 28, 2022·edited Dec 29, 2022Liked by Massimo Pigliucci
My pet theory of religion is that it is a means of inducing an 'endorphin' high. Do something slightly painful for a long time and the endorphins, etc. kick in and you feel 'God', grace or enlightenment. At least in Zen while there are some silly stories (and some funny ones too) belief is not a big deal.
Sharing in the 'high' may have some utility in terms of group solidarity.
Sit in an uncomfortable posture ('just sitting') for a long time, trying to solve an impossible riddle while someone occasionally wacks ypu with a board...ah!
I do agree that dogma is a typical difference between religions and philosophy, but like all definitions the boundaries are fuzzy.
Appreciated thinking, though “philosophers are in the business...” is not my favorite phrase. I’m also thinking that, for the same reason Ethical Culture qualifies as a religion for tax purposes, so would Stoicism, for example. Time to declare a building dedicated to Stoicism or a cousin thereof?
Loved this post. Found myself nodding along and saying “yes!” a lot.
Massimo, I particularly appreciated this statement: “…ideally, at least—philosophical inquiry is open ended. Just as in science, the inquirer strives to boldly go wherever reason and evidence lead. In the case of theology, by contrast, the conclusion is pre-determined and cannot possibly be contradicted by any argument or evidence”. As an ex secular Buddhist practitioner, my teacher was Stephen Batchelor who reformulated the Four Noble Truths (which presume faith or belief in unquestionable givens, just like religion) into Four Noble Tasks (empirical practices which follow the data, like philosophy & science). He summarised these tasks as ELSA: Embrace life, Let reactivity be, See reactivity stop, and Actualize a path - https://bit.ly/3i5t1fL . The purpose of this practice is not to strive for enlightenment (a futile endeavour akin to aiming to become a Sage) but to realise “…our full human potential to live intelligently, compassionately and hopefully with wisdom.” Sounds pretty much like Stoicism to me & is another example of the BCE interactions between India & Greece.
Difficult to argue with your chain of thought except the bit about Buddhism. A lot has been mixed with Hindu belief & I am not talking about the Gods of Mythology. It’s the abstract about Atman & Brahma. Buddhas first noble truth is Dukha which is sadness or equivalent to absence of pain (Epicurean). Te second truth is not to have any Desire which can be debated.
Here is my take on the universal God & it’s called GRAVITY. It has created the Cosmos & holds it together & is expanding it with a little tweaking from Relativity. So Newton & Einstein explain all that is known about our universe.
questioning and open-ended--that seems to define the distinction well
'The runaway dreams put a rope to my soul' -- a bit of Zen from 'Walker Behind the Wheel'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjyqZXCqKdo
My pet theory of religion is that it is a means of inducing an 'endorphin' high. Do something slightly painful for a long time and the endorphins, etc. kick in and you feel 'God', grace or enlightenment. At least in Zen while there are some silly stories (and some funny ones too) belief is not a big deal.
Sharing in the 'high' may have some utility in terms of group solidarity.
Sit in an uncomfortable posture ('just sitting') for a long time, trying to solve an impossible riddle while someone occasionally wacks ypu with a board...ah!
I do agree that dogma is a typical difference between religions and philosophy, but like all definitions the boundaries are fuzzy.
Appreciated thinking, though “philosophers are in the business...” is not my favorite phrase. I’m also thinking that, for the same reason Ethical Culture qualifies as a religion for tax purposes, so would Stoicism, for example. Time to declare a building dedicated to Stoicism or a cousin thereof?
🌲🌲🌲🌲
Excellent point; reminds me of the Creation/Evolution debate: what could change your mind? Nye: evidence. Ham: nothing