Is philosophy a better choice than religions ?

Question

.....and do you think philosophy would contribute to humankind in more benerfical or negative ways compared with religions ?

Just wondering what people think about this.

Answer 1

Definitely, and here is why:

Philosophy can be subjected to scrutiny, and reason.

Religion has the answer "it's in the book"!

I don't care WHAT is in some book, what holds up to scrutiny?

Phlosophy is only dangerous when it is not scrutinized, then it becomes religion!

Answer 2

Philosophy, religion and politics are all close cousins and all of them have to be watched carefully. Some countries use religion as their law, others follow the other 2 interweaved relatives, yet no system is perfect. The abuse of religion, take a book and spin it out of context leads to revolutions worth nothing after all the war, and of critical introspection of human behavior sometimes hidden for are men imperfect, yet to live together rules must be observed and followed, the alternative chaos and not a living condition.

We all know certain things to be good, no religion, politician or philosopher need to tell us that raping a kid is wrong, or robbing from a man who worked hard all his life is "insane."
Of deviant behaviors that care not for others, only self centered love then scrutinity must be carried by the majority.

Answer 3

Philosophy is just a way about thinking about things, i.e. there is a philosophy in mathematics, science and religion. This does not make it any better or worse than any other thought as it is thought. And just as some systems of thought can lead to great good, some can lead to great bad.

In comparison to religion, it can be better or worse but the determining factor is whether it leads you to be tolerant and seek the best for all mankind or not.

Answer 4

Philosophy is far more interesting because it studies the philosophy of almost every human (worthy) endeavor. Philosophy of art (aesthetics), philosophy of music, philosophy of science, logic and epistemology, and metaphysics are more pertinent to contemporary needs.

One can study all the different religions, but it is only one aspect of human thought. I don't particularly find religion/s interesting at all. I don't think they yield any more truths than would focused reflection. Philosophical thinking actually provide more nuances "truths", in my experience. Philosophy is like a wet rag that keeps ringing out water.

Answer 5

religion is one of the most touchy subjects i have come acrossed, you can't even try to convince someone that what they believe in is wrong. you need to have an open mind to see that most things in any religion can NOT be physically proven. most christians should be ashamed to even stand by their religion when they don't know a thing about it. eg. would jesus support war, (iraqi freedom? that excuse has long since expired) ironicly, i doubt it he would support torture.
i can't think of a war that had to do with philosophy, sadly 70- 80% of the wars that i am thinking of right now were over religion. i'm acually not completly against religion, i am against other people imposing their beliefs on other as if it were fact..prove it.
anyways, it is best with a balenced system, put your religion aside for a moment and think of countries (especially the middle east) and tell me with a straight face that their system is fine...with no freedom of anything. that could be the US if philosophy is tossed aside, and religion becomes number one.

Answer 6

Since philosophy is based on relative idealism, it would likely make more chaos than benefit.

If we lived by philosophy, we would have different rules and laws according to the stream of thought of the philosophers at the time. Our court system would fall apart, since one philosophical thought is that truth is relative.

That would make it interesting. You are a witness in court and the bailiff asks you, "Do you care to tell whatever you feel the truth is, nothing but the truth as it pertains and is relative to you?"

To rid belief, with codes of morals, rules for living and lifestyle, and replace it with something which can be shifting like the wind, even existential at best - no, not a good idea. Much of what we live by is based on the Judeo-Christian codes and tenets. This speaks truth as absolute and that laws and rules are absolute. Philosophy says that truth is relative and therefore so are laws, codes, tenets, rules, etc.

Answer 7

Well, religion is a sort of philosophy, and in some cases the religion is rather perverse and twisted.

In general, a philosophy of critical thinking is better than mere non-critical faith-based religion.

Answer 8

Anything is a better choice than religion. Religion is a lie about God.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 9

I chose philosophy over religion. It was a better choice for me.

Answer 10

Philosophy can be dangerous as well. Communism is also a philosophy. Not to say that philosophy is bad, but all things must be practiced with reasonable thought and a questioning mind.