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Question

On page 107 of Science and Religion by Edward Grant, it states that Clement of Alexandria believed that philosophy and Christianity went hand in hand; due to the fact that Greek philosophers “drew their ideas and inspiration from the Old Testament.” Then it also goes on to say that Clement thought that we can’t help but to philosophize because “if we are not to philosophize, what then? (For no none can condemn a thing without knowing it): the consequence, even it that case, is that we must philosophize. So if religion never came about where do you think that the philosophers would get their “ideas and inspiration” from?

Answer 1

One can use philosophy to answer profound questions as those framed by religions.

However why limit yourself to one particular creed since there are many popular ones across the world.

Which religious creed and associated philosophy seem more logical, reasonable and has more scientific basis for the religion ?

If you keep discussing only 1 religion in 'Science and Religion' subject then if the religion is dogmatic you run into the scope of philosophies that fail.

Answer 2

So the philosophers of 6th Century BC Athens drew their ideas from the Old Testament? How did all of their gods feel about that? I'm pretty sure that Socrates and Plato did not pattern the education of boys after the guidelines set out by Moses.

Answer 3

Humans have probably pondered their origins and the nature of all things since conscious thinking emerged in the species.

Although some Ancient Greek philosophers may have been influenced by some ideas in the OT written in Hebrew, I think it goes too far to say secular philosophy and Christianity went hand in hand. For example, Socrates seemed to prefer the idea of one god (monotheism) or no god over the idea of many gods(polytheism). Whether one can attribute the 1 god preference to reading the OT is a conjecture since there is no supporting documentation trail of any kind.

BTW, many early Christian sects were *Gnostic (reason-based) Christians that were eventually extinguished by the anti-intellectual, anti-reason (faith-based) Christian sects of the Roman Empire.

Be careful of any conclusions reached by faith-based believers and evangelical Christian philosophers.

Answer 4

i think that before religion even existed philosophy has already existed, because philosophy is life.

Answer 5

From the universal conscience that can be accessed within, the source, the being!

Answer 6

Excellent question.

The answer is self.

Of course, the religious answer would be God.

God and self are the same.

Answer 7

I concur with the views of Temple.