2006-09-29 23:41:45 · 32 answers · asked by sampath s 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Religion is what binds people who follow a common faith--be it Hinduism, Christianity, or Islam.
A 'Philosopher', as the origin of the word suggests, is one who is a 'lover of wisdom.'
Greek "Philos" is a lover, and "sopher" means wisdom.
So , someone who studies, and practises wise ways of living all his life can do so, to his satisfaction! The difference is great!
2006-09-29 23:51:40 · answer #1 · answered by thegentle Indian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How much time have you got?
On face value, nothing. When you look closer, everything.
Religion is a belief in a God or Gods which dictate how your life should be lead. Depending on how well you follow the precepts, rules, laws, teachings of that religion will reflect on how you live your life.
Those who believe in a particular religion, follow the teachings of that religion with the hope of some reward (usually) in the afterlife.
Following a philosophy is a rational decision. Or at least it should be. However, I am intrigued to know what single philosophy you can follow your entire life without having to adopt others along the way.
If someone starts following a philosopher and putting his ideas into practice, you could be forgiven for thinking this person has become religious. What is the difference between following the teachings of Christ and the works of Hume?
2006-09-30 13:21:49 · answer #2 · answered by markspanishfly 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Surely if someone is following a religion they are following a set of beliefs (along with practices and rituals ie going to church) that have been established and set out usually for a long time, that are structured specifically for that religion whereas a philosophy is something that is a personal belief or simply a belief that several people hold. This belief would possibly be subject to change, as the persons life goes on and also perhaps might be more of a personal belief than a religion held by lots and lots of ppl. However this is simply a suggestion, i havent looked anything up in the dictionary or anything lol.
2006-09-30 00:08:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Realy a matter of your own perception I would say but it could be that following a religion is not questioning it ever and just accepting it in its entirety whereas when you follow a philosophy you do ask questions and its more likely based on science. Some faiths-Buddhism for example-people differ on whether they are a religion or a philosophy depending which type you follow. A philosophy is more "a way of looking at life" whereas religion has a specific God which you do not question.
2006-09-29 23:49:22 · answer #4 · answered by angeldust 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People following religion follow a belief. People following a philosophy follow an idea. This may sound simple, but it is the single most important difference of the two.
2006-09-29 23:48:58 · answer #5 · answered by xxxdarksakuraxxx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fundamental difference between philosophy and religion is that religion claims Truth, whereas philosophy searches for the ultimate truth. Religion is based upon love of God Almighty, whereas the word philosophy means - love of wisdom.
Philosophical brooding raises doubts at every step of the way and questions questioning. The questions are not necessarily asked in order to be answered they are asked to be refined and rephrased for the sake of reaching facts closer to Truth. The one who follow philosophical disciplines would normally assume a humble and an inquisitive mind.
Religious teachings are based upon belief and they eliminate all doubts. Religion teaches us how to manage the known and then it also defines the unknown for us. People who follow a religion as a guiding principle in life normally do not question and have no doubts in what they believe in and therefore what they do under the auspices of their beliefs.
2006-09-30 01:10:07 · answer #6 · answered by Shahid 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religions are organized and they follow an imposed doctrine even though they preach about the good commandments and facilitate the acceptance of life as it is but they limit our access to questions while philosophy is subject to fluctuations and new trends and change it can never be a doctrine , we dont see fanatic philosophers they accept new ideas and change they accept criticism and comments while religion is fanatic stuck in time and space and dangerous for it doesnt allow change , they keep following what accomodated people thousands of years ago and apply it to the 21st century pretending that it is the truth of life ..the difference is those following a religion become fanatic while those following a philosophy become open minded
2006-09-30 00:21:04 · answer #7 · answered by fuschiafish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People following a religion do so with a huge jump into an act of faith (as there is no proof of the existence of spiritual life beyond our own consciousness of self) whereas people following a philosophy are seeking a way of explaining the world, not a way of explaining it away. A religion fulfills the need to share an explanation of the universe, however fantastic the explanation, a philosophy fulfills the need to see your explanation proved by everyday experience.
2006-09-29 23:57:10 · answer #8 · answered by MEAMEAMEA 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A religion has set code of rules and a follower must abide by them even if he dislikes some of them.
Where as a philosophy is a principle adopted by an individual by his own choice which he is at liberty to give up but does not.
To give an example My grand father was a Hindu but he would not perform any of the rituals prescribed.
He had a philosophy that a man should earn for himself all his life and he should adhere to truth at any cost.
He followed his philosophy till his death
2006-09-30 03:01:29 · answer #9 · answered by Brahmanda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have to say following a religion, the rules have already been set out for you. You know what you can and cannot do, there is a deity to worship, you know what will happen to you when you die etc. Following a philosophy for life, you make your own judgements, choices and have no idea - apart from your own philosophies - of where life will end and what will happen in death.
2006-09-30 00:01:52 · answer #10 · answered by Marlene 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very simple. An individual following religion is following some one else's beliefs and interpretation of fundamental concepts on which their respective religion is grounded.
An individual following a philosophy is simply provided with a question from which to form their own conclusions.
Example: A simple philosophy to follow would be,
"Do right things".
The follower of this philosophy would have to determine the fundamental concept of right from wrong and strive to do right things based upon these determinations.
Christianity provides ten commandments that provide an example of right from wrong as a guideline from which to determine the difference, therefore integrating ancient beliefs as a benchmark for introspective comparison. The result is a system where world society is judged based upon their adherence to the commandments rather than their own interpretation of right and wrong. Scientifically speaking it provides a constant from which to measure variables and ensure predictability, therefore ensuring a measure of control. The individual is a product of their respective environment and without a constant there isn't the possibility of predictability. Have you ever heard the saying their is honor among thieves? Even criminals have a society and there is a sense of right wrong in place. Prisoners in penitentiaries will rape and kill child molesters yet accept a man who murdered a cop or their own wife. Providing evidence of a misguided sense of right from wrong, yet they are still doing right things based upon their interpretaion. I could ramble on for hours. Great question! I am looking forward to reading the serious responses.
2006-09-30 00:32:45 · answer #11 · answered by Mr Right 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋