(2-minute read)
As a student of philosophy and theology there are three basic “truths” that I have learned. They are being passed along with two intentions.
- To offer a very brief layman’s introduction into the disciplines
- Anyone who reads them will have an advantage to life
First, a very simple explanation of what I think the difference between the two disciplines are.
For this exercise let us assume that “philosophy” is simply defined as the discipline of describing “the meaning of life.” (Of course this definition is an oversimplification, but I am writing with the non-academic reader in mind. And, for that, I think this is suffice)
If philosophy is discovering “the meaning of life” then “theology” is nothing more than philosophy with an additional condition, the existence of a “higher power” worked into the definition.
Again, an over simplification but suffice for what we are doing here.
For the sake of brevity and for the rest of this exercise, unless specifically stated, I will use the term philosophy as a way of categorizing both.
Truth #1 – There Are So Many …
The first truth is that there are so many theological and philosophical concepts that have been developed.
That there are so many means there is not, nor can there ever be, one philosophical path to adopt and follow.
Throughout time there has been a vast number of philosophical and theological concepts. That there are so many could only mean one thing; there has never been, nor can there ever be, one true philosophy that can explain everything.
Not now. Not ever.
And of course the inference to be drawn is that these are merely ideas. Ideas that potentially could effect (or have no effect) on humanity whatsoever. These were merely the writings of individuals, some of them extremely flawed, trying to figure out the meaning of life in the world in which they were living in.
Once one accepts that fact one can relax.
it is OK to objectively hold these ideas at arms length and study them as if they were objects.
When it comes to studying philosophy we are only studying the writings of those trying to figure out the world.
Thanks for reading. Read Understanding Philosophy and Theology: Three Key Insights Pt. 2.
